AN ALLEGED ASSAULT.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2466, 20 May 1915, Page 9

AN ALLEGED ASSAULT.

A disturbance which took place in Taranaki Street en the mglit or May 4 was the subject lor a police prosecution, John' Audeison being charged with assaulting Cecil Hobert Payne, a labourer, and causing Uun actual bodily harm.

The accused pleaded not- guilty, and was represented by Mr. 11. I'. O'Leary. Complainant said that he was talking to u Chinese friend when defendant came along, touched him on the shoulder, and then struck him on the eye. The result was that ho could not follow his usual occupation. Mr. O'Leary: What is your usual occupation ? —"I am a roadman."

Complainant admitted that he had been in the City for some time on a holiday, and had not been following his usual occupation. As to his Chinese friend, lie was uot friendly through thegame of pak-a-poo; he had given that game up. Further, complainant said that he was not of a quarrnlsomo' disposition, but "for his own good" Detective Cassells had once advised him to leave the town.

To Inspector Hendrey, complainant said the trouble, he thought, "was over having a glass of beer." Accused was pietty excited, and thcrw ivns an old animosity between them. Defendant alleged that he' was struck over the head with a bottle. He denied giving provocation. The case was adjourned till Wednesday next, to enable medical cvidencc to be called. Bail was allowed in tho sum of £50. FOR DRUNKENNESS. The list of inebriates only contained six names, thrco of whom were first offenders, and were dealt with in the usual malUler. Andrew Williamson and ■John Mackay, second offenders, were fined 10s., in default 48 hours' lmpris. oriment, and John M'Carthy, a blind man, was convicted and discharged on a charge of drunkenness. He was also I charged with having used obscene language, and on his own request he was remanded till Monday, to enable him to employ counsel.

3d., costs 145.; Woarne and Collins v. J. Davidson, £1 2s. 6d., costs 55.; same v. Alex. Sm.vlie, £1 3s. 2d., costs 55.; same v. It. H. Carene, 165., costs 65.: J. W. Smith v. Albert Fenn, £1 55., costs ss.

ARBITRATION COURT

STONEMASONS' AWARD

The award of the Arbitration Court in the stonemasons' dispute has been filed with the Clerk of Awards (Mr. G. S. Clark). The only questions submitted to the Court were those of wages and a few minor matters. The Court fixed the wanes at la. Bjd. per hour for a week of forty-four hours. In a memorandum attached to the award the Court pointed out that this rate of pay was an increase on the rate hitherto prevailing, but the Court was satisfied that the workers in this industry were at a disadvantage in comparison with tho workers in other skilled trades in the Dominion. The demand for masons was spasmodic, and there wore frequent Intervals during which no work in the industry was available, and journeymen had to seek casual work or remain unomnloyed. Henco the rise.