LYTTELTON NEWS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18405, 11 June 1925, Page 14

LYTTELTON NEWS.

Licensing Committee. | The annual meeting of the Lytteltcn Licensing Committee was ■ held yesterday. Present—Messrs H. Y.' Widdowson, S.M. (chairman), F. G. Norton, Orton Bradley, J. Richardson, W. T. Lester, and. F. Knights. The chairman said the police report was that the hotels in the district had been well conducted during the year. A report from the police stated that 'the Canterbury Hotel was not healthy, owing to the dampness which came through fiom an outside wall, and which had affected seven bedrooms. The trouble was due to the porous nature of the bricks. Mr B. W. Olliver said that the defect had only been recently brought under the notice of the licensee and owners, and the latter would have the matter rectified immediately. Transfers were granted in respect of the following hotels:—Lytteltpn Hotel, from John Barry to David Edmonds: Ocean View, Governor's Bay, from Percy Holland to G: W. Colombus. Licenses were granted to the following: George S. James, Saxon Hotel, Lyttelton; David ' Edmonds, Lyttelton Hotel; fohn McKay, Bruce Hotel, Akaroa; Walter H. Newcy, Heatbcote Arms; Henry G. Tol!an, Grand, Akaroa; C. G. H. Teichert, Empire, Lyttelton; George Wright, Eoyal, Lyttelton; G. L. Colombus, Ocean View, Governor's Bay; Wm. M. Buddie, Metropole, Akaroa; H. MprTeirV, Akaroa; J. E. Bisman, Hill Top, Barry's Bay 'accommodation license). • Renewals were granted as follows:—H. G. Scott, Canterbury Hotel, Lyttelton; H. W. Thompson, Marine, Sumner; C. P. Cameron, Mitre, Lyttelton; H. J. Jack, -Wheatsheaf, Teddington (accommodation license); R. C Dobson, Cave Rock, Sumner; J. Round, Heathcote Valley Hotel; J. De P. Manson, Albion, Lyttelton; H. J. Polton, Wharf, | Woolston; F. W. Young, Somerset, Duvauchelle; E. J. Costello, British, Lyttelton. A wholesale license was granted to Forbes, Ltd., Lyttelfon. Magistrate's Court, Mr H. Y. Widdowson; S.M., presided at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. William . Seddon (Mr R. Twyneham) was charged with stealing two tins of "Capstan tobacco, valued at 5s 6d, the property of the Upion Steam Ship Co. He pleaded guilty. Edward Robert Crocker pleaded guilty to having received from. Wm.- Seddon two tins of Capstan tobacco, valued at 5s 6d, the property of the Union Steam Ship Co., well knowing the same to have been dishonestly obtained. , ' .. Mr. Twyneham said it was a. most pcculia* case. The men ; were painting on the steamer Kaikorai. Seddon, who was a nonsmoker,'- came' aoross the. tobacco in a locker, 1 which he uncovered during his work. He picked up a couple of tins, and later handedl them to Crocker. The act was unexplainable, as Seddon in no Way sought to profit by the transaction. He asked that "the case he treated differently from' ordinary cargo .broaching. • ••:- --, Crocker said he did,, not know when Seddon handed him the tins that the ..tobacco had been stolon. He admitted that Seddon told him later that the tobacco was stolen. The Magistrate said, he . would not look upon the offence as ordinary cargo' broaching, and therefore would not inflict imprisonment. : The'-firte, however, would have to be substantial. Each of the accused would be fined £5, in default one month's imprisonment. . • Frederick Robertson (Mr R. Twyneham) charged Wm. Hughes (Mr W.'F. Tracy),with, having unlawfully assaulted complainant by striking him with his clenched fist.• ■ ■ ■' After hearing the evidence, which showed that the trouble originated between the children of the parties, the Magistrate convicted Hughes and fincd> him £2, with lis costs and £1 la solicitor's ; fee. William Barnes, a waterside, worker, was charged with unlawfully assaulting C'barle3 Anse'.l, foreman for the Union Steam Ship Company, by striking him with his clenched fist. Mr B. Twyneha-in appeared for jjarnes, who pleafled not guilty. Charles Ansell, foreman for the Union Company, said that on Monday he was in charge of the s.s. Kauri. He transferred some of the watersiders from one haich to other hatches. Instead of going back to his own hatch, Barnes went to a different hatcu. Witness ordered him back; but. he refused to go. Witness then told Barnes that he was finished, meaning that he was discharged. Witness had full .authority to discharge any man. Barnes followed witness about the ship, arguing. Witness told him to get off the ship. Barries . then assaulted witness, knocking him down on to a heap of ashes near the gangway. Witness was badly knocked about, and had to secure medical attention. Thomas P. Evans, second officer on the Kauri, said he saw the two men, Ansell and Barnes, struggling on deck. He saw Ansell go* ashore and wash his face. Barnes followed nnd struck Ansell again. Dr. B. H. Gilmour gave evidence that he attended Ansell on Monday. Ansell. had a badly fractured bridge of the noso and several abrasions. The injury to the nose should heal in about three weeks' time. Evidence for the dofonce was given by Wm. H. Whitford, tally clerk, • who said he saw Barnes and Ansell having an argument. Ansell walked away and Barnes put his hand on Ansoll's sleeve to. detain him. Ansell turned and struck. Barnes, and clutched at his face., They were separated. Ansell went ashore and started io wash his face. Barnes came down the gangway and said to Ansell, "I suppose Tni sacked?" Ansell did not .'reply, but seemed, to lose all control of-himself.- He rushed.at Barnes with his head down and kicked him on the shin. Barnes then struck out and knocked Ansell down. , . -

Edwoid, Boyd, a. waterpider. said, he heard the two men talking- loudly. He corroborated the evidence o£ "Whitford.so far as the affray on deck was concerned. -' When Barnes wont on the wharf witness was standing by Ansell, who was washing himself under a. tap. Ansell rushed past witness, with his head down and kicked Barnes on the shin and in the stomach. 'lThen Barnes etariea," concluded the witness, "and Ansell got the decorations he is now wearing.'' (Laughter.) The accused also, gave evidence. The Magistrate said that Vith'the exception of when Barnes put his harifl on Ansell's coat sleeve, Ansell appeared to be the aggressor all through. The case would Tic dismissed. ...