DANCE AFFRAY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21245, 16 October 1940, Page 2

DANCE AFFRAY

MEN CREATE DISTURBANCE THREE SENT TO PRISON YOUTH PLACED ON PROBATION (Special to Times) MORRINSVILLE. Tuesday Before Messrs W. Hetherington and 1 L. Echlin, J.’sP., in the Morrinsville ! Police Court yesterday, four men, | Mahoney O'Keeffee, Henry Alfred i Prole, Leslie Tolhopf and Brian Maxwell, were charged with creating a disturbance at Tahuna while a dance was in progress on Saturday night; also with assaulting William Oswald Tilsley, Oliver Redshaw, Robert Best and a man named McKeon. As a result of the disturbance Redshaw, who was a soldier in uniform and McKeon were injured. The police stated the dance was being held in aid of the Relief of London funds. The four accused arrived after having had a fair amount of liquor. Prole created a disturbance and was ejected, and after supper O’Keefl'ee. Prole and Tolhopf commenced throwing seats about. ' Redshaw and McKeon remonstrated j with them and were set upon by the ! accused, O’Keeffee being the leader, j O'Keeffee was well known to the | police and he gave considerable j trouble when arrested. All the j accused had learned a little boxing and wrestling and when they had had drink liked to show their knowledge. People Leave Dance William Tilsley, who was M.C. at the dance, said the fight upset the evening and a number of people went home. The bench said the conduct of accused was most despicable and O’Keeffee was sentenced to five months’ imprisonment and fined £5. Prole was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment and fined £5. Tolhopf was sentenced to a month’s imprisonment for assault and fined £5. Maxwell, aged 18, was convicted and placed on probation for two years. The terms of probation are that for six months he is not allowed out after 8 p.m. For twelve months he is not to attend dances, picture theatres or billiards rooms, and he is to report to the probation officer once a week.