“TRIVIAL MATTER”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11124, 6 February 1930, Page 3

“TRIVIAL MATTER”

TWO CHARGES DISMISSED CHRISTMAS EVE ARGUMENT Two charges levelled against Henry Lindsay Kooinson, the well-known boxer, before Mr R. H. Harper, S.M., in the Magistate's Court yesterday, were dismissed following the hearing of the evidence. Robinsou was charged with, on December 24, assaulting James Francis Brennan in the British Empire Hotel and with refusing to quit the premises when required to do so. Mr S. V. Beaufoy appeared on behalf of defendat, who pleaded not guilty. Complainant. a barman at the hotel, stated ill evidence that tindispute arose over change for drinks Robinsou asserting that he had handed over £2, hut witness denying this. Robinson then became angry and, though it was closing time, and he was requested several times to do so. refused to leave the premises. Witness went into the room where Rolan sou was and a scuffle fol lowed, he receiving two blows on the face. Two other customers intervened and Robinson eventually left. Later witness left- the hotel and found Robinson waiting for him. Defendant . adopted a threatening attitude and witness was compelled to inform the police. Corruborative evidence regarding various points in ibis story was given by Charles Crumble, Sergeant MeIntvre and Constab'e McKenzie.

In tho witness box, Robinson explained that ho held out a roll ol notes to Brennan, letting him help himself to pay lor a round of drinks Ho was positive Brennan took two notes, hut did not say anything for a time as he thought it was a joke Later, after receiving only 18s in change, lie asked for the other £l, whereupon Brennan jumped over the bar and started to push him out. He could not say exactly what happened ill the scuffle, bait- ho did no! think ho hit Brennan. He. himself, received a Wow from somethiing, either Brennan’s fist or the door, foi he had a skinned nose, when he nr rived home. Only sufficient force to defend himself was used, dofeudani asserted. He rang the police later to lay a, chargo against- Brennan, buf could not get in touch with the right quarter. Defendant denied tlial he bad been asked to leave but admitted that he had five or six whiskies that afternoon and also enrol- two in the morning. Tho magistrate commented that the whole • trouble arose, over tinamount tendered for the drinks. I' - ■I sense, he was sure that each lionest'v believed that he was telling the truth. Robinson was smarting under a sense of injustice and Brennan was angry at being accused of theft of the note. “I am particu’arlv impressed Lv the fact thai the defendant has admitted the correct number of drinks he had on. Christmas Eve—a most unusual o eurrenco in this court”, added th< magistrate. “I think the who c thing is trivial and will dismiss both informations.”