A RIMU FRACAS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1921, Page 3

A RIMU FRACAS

OUTCOME OF FOOTBALL MATCH,

ventilated IN S.M. COURT

THURSDAY MAY 25th

At the Magistrates’ Court, Hokitika before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.. the Police charged Julia Inwood, Leslie Inwood, and Helen A. Kelly with assaulting Albert Cutbush at Rimu on May 14th. M& Murdoch for the defendants pleaded not guilty. Inspector Matlieson appeared for the Police and outlined the charges. On the 14th. May there was a football match at Rimu between the Kiwi and Pirates team, Albert Cutbush being the referee. After the game had proceeded the two female defendants were very ‘noticeable in action and language. When the game was over the two women assaulted Cutbush and while

this was occurring, ttyt* male defendant <■olllo behind- and hfit him a severe blow. Friends of the referee came to his aid and bundled him into a ear and drove away. Evidence was led as follows: Albert Cutbush deposed he was a laborer residing at Hokitika. He was

a football referee and on the 14th. refereed the Kiwi-Pirate match at Rimu. Went out with Kiwi team by motor car, met the Rimu team and play commenced. During the match saw Mrs Inwood and Airs Kelly rushing

up and down the field, using language (stated) urging on the Pirates. He had occasion during the second spell to order a Rimu player (Griffiths) off for rough play. The two women were along side at the time and tlvay said they would tear the referee to pieces after the match. Witness did not reply. Their conduct -caused the crowd to become very hostile. After the game ended while he was putting on his coat, the two women rushed across the field dragged open his coat, struck him across the face and ear. Then he was struck across the head and was knocked unconscious and he did not know anything more. He was put in a motoi car and driven away. Glass and Gillooly were nearby at the time of the assault. He never used any bad language, or gave any provocation. He had never had anything to do with the j defendants before.

To Mr Murdoch—Knew ihe defend--1 ants. Will swear that lie did not use [e ' any words to the two women, when the J play was on the line at the 25 Hag outlie Rimu end of the ground when (; the game was in progress about 25 5 minutes. Denied totally using an> £ had language towards the two women. 4 It was in the last half of the game q that the worst of the hostility was 4 shown. There was nothing in the first ;.j half hour of the game. Neither of the li women said to him “If you say that 1 again. I'll slap voiy face. ’ Inwood did 1 U not come to him at the end ol the game and say anything to him. It was only 2 after he got to Hokitika lie knew it I was In wood who had struck him. I here would he about 200 on (lie ground. ) Haw Constable Evenden on the ground. He could not suggest any reason why the witnesses for the defensce should contradict his evidence. (Witness was examined at some length on fits past t record). l The Court adjourned at 1 p.m. , AFTERNOON SITTING. j > ][is Worship resumed his seat at 2.15 | p.m i Albert Cutbusli continued—He had | ) the approval of the Union to he referee. J 1 He saw Keenan at Rimu on the north j ' side of the ground. ! Colin Glass deposed he was an ap- j prentice at the Electric Power Cov. at j Hokitika. Was at Rimu at the football ; match. Saw the three defendants. The j ! two women were on the south side. In- i wood was on the north side. Also saw | Keenan on the line. Heard the twin j women call out to put the bool in etc. j They were running up and down in the second half. Witness kept close to them. Saw Griffiths put off the field. Hoard the two women say they would smack up the referee after the match., j Did not hear the referee refer to the? j women or use had language. After the [ match the women rushed across the field to the referee, pulling his hair and. smacked his face with the open hand, and then Imvood came up from behind: and hit him on the eye. The Kiwis then formed round and took the refereeoff the ground to a car. Witness went back with the team. Going down Rimu: hill some gravel was thrown into the car, the driver being struck. To Mr Murdoch—This was alwiit amile from the playing ground. Did! not suggest the women threw the j gravel. Witness was on the south side of the field. Could not say whether Cutbusli used had language in the first, fifteen minutes of the first half, j Thomas Gillooly deposed lie was an j , engineer at Hokitika and was coach j for the Kiwi team. Was at Rimu act|ring as line umpire on the south side jj in the first half. Noticed the two wo- ! men in the first half. They got on j , the field in front of him nndgjie asked • them to get bark. One turned round • and said Cutbusli had sworn at them, j Witness said surely not. Ihe other wo- , man said yes, lie had. Witness said j if he had done so the referee owed an apology. The women were constantly j barracking and making remarks. He heard both remark in the first | half that they would settle the i referee. The women told witness be- J fore the play started that the referee j had sworn at them. He was on the ! north side in the second half and did j not see what took place on the south j side.

After the game he saw one woman get hold of Cutbush by the sweater, - ’u. i‘ic other smacked his face. TlKiwi supporters were escorting Cutbusli off the ground. He then saw Inwood come up behind and hit Cutbush in the face.

When coming down the Rimu hill two lots of gravel were thrown into tlm lorry, but he did not know who threw

To Mr Murdoch.—lt was before the match that the women complained of being sworn at. Arthur William Duncraft deposed he was an engine driver and a member of the Kiwi team that played at Rimu. After the game be saw Imvood come behind Cutbush and hit him with his clenched fist in the face.' Cutbush went partly down and was taken away hr the Kiwi players,

To Mr Murdoch—He did not see ■ Airs Inwood there at the time. Alauriee Haile deposed he was at { Rimu on the 14th. Saw the two female -j defendants on the south side in the J second half. After the game the two ! defendants went over to the refeiee ; and started pulling him about. Things • were fairly lively. Heard a- bit of a • thud and looking round saw a Rimu ; player pulling Inwood out of a scram- jj ble.

Inspector Alatheson said two witnesses were unable to attend (Jones who was held up by. a flood and Kortegast who is ill.) He was prepared to go on if pentmtysion were given to call these witnesses after the defendants’ case were closed.

Air Murdoch elected bo await the closing of the case for the prosecution ,j •Before opening the case for the defence. ■» Mr Murdoch asked that the prosecu- I, tion should name their witness but ' his Worship deemed this was unnecessary.

The hearing was then adjourned to the Bth. June af 10 a.m.