THE RIMU FRACAS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1921, Page 3

THE RIMU FRACAS

FURTHER HEARING OF CHARGES CONTINUED AT S.M. COURT.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9th

At the Magistrate’s Court before Mr G. W. Bundle, S.M., the adjourned hearing of the charges by the police against Julia Inwood, Leslie Inwood and Helen A. Kelly of assaulting Albert Cuthush at Rimu on May 14th., was resumed, when the evidence for the prosecution was continued.

Robert M. Jones deposed lie was a driver of a motor lorry. He was playing for the Kiwi team at Rimu on the Saturday in question. When the piny had been in progress about half an hour, heard the two defendant females calling out, mentioned the words used by one. They were on the south sode during the first half. Saw Griffiths ordered off for collaring his man, when the latter did not have the ball. In the second half the two women came across the field among the players ito where the referee was and had an a renin t with the referee. They then went to the north side and continued Barracking. At the conclusion of the game, the Kiwi team were walking towards the lorry, when the two female defendants tried to pull off his jersey, and hit him with the open hand across the face. There was a good deal of feeling shown at the time. Then saw Tmvood come up from behind and strike Out hush in the face which dazed him. Two men then assisted Cuthush to a car. Then witness gained the lorry. Coming down Rimu hill,, when about half way down, saw tho two females among the crowd. When passing them some gravel was thrown into the lorry. Could not say who threw the stones. Witness was struck on the face and was scratched. The defendants were the principal adult.* in the feeling shown oil the field.

To Mr Murdoch—lt was impossible for him to he present at last court day owing to the flood. Saw deviants and the referee near each Ww after the game had started, on #be south side near the Rimu 25, buf Sid not hear them speaking to each other, gaw Const. Evenden during the progress of the play. Heard the women screaming out during the game. This was before Griffiths was ordered off. To the Magistrate—lt was before Griffiths was ordered off the field that the two women caine across the field.

Rhiiiip Kortegast deposed be was a member of the Kiwi team playing at Rimu on the 14tii of Mnv. Saw the two women during the game. After the game saw some trouble and went back. Saw tlie women approach to Cutbush. Did not j>eo a man strike Cutbush. but was alongside him and heard a smack, but did not see who struck the blow. He did not make a statement to Kergt. King. Sergt. King came to him with a statement which witness refused to sign.

Inspector Matheson said lie wished to treat the witness as hostile. The Sergt. saw witness on the Saturday night, and asked what witness had seen at Rimu. His Worship said he was satisfied the witness was not giving the fullest evridence and was hostile. The witness was asked to stand down.

Sergt. King recalled —On the Saturday night the complainant Cuthush made Lis complaint and said Kortegast was present. Went across to .him and spoke to Kortegast who said he fluid seen the two women pulling Cuthush about and that Tnwood bad struck Cutbush across the face

Const. Flewellyn deposed he was present when Sergt. King and Kortegast met. the latter said he saw the two female defendants pulling Cutbusli about and that inwood smacked Cutbush. If Cutbusli bad not been taken away there would have been a free fight Kortegast recalled, denied that be said that Tnwood struck Cuthush. He saw the, women approach Cutbush and one pulled at liis jersey. There wouljl have been a fight if Cutbusli bad got to the man who bad struck him. Witness was one who assisted Cutbusli away. To Mr Murdoch—Saw Sergt. King on night of 14th. May. It was tho following week that Sergt King and Flcwcllvn came to him with the statement. He said that lie did not see all that was in the. statement and he declined to «i"n it. Had not been aiiproacbed by any of the defendants. Did not bear Cutbush say anything to the women. Did not bear the women do more than barracking. Could not say if either of the defendants were present when the stones were thrown going down T, hill.

This was the case for the prosecution. Mr Mu rdocli led evidence as follows: j Helen Kelly deposed she was living 1 with her husband at Woodstock. Saw Cutbusli for the first time on the day of the match. At the start was standing on the south side about the Rimu 25. She was barracking, calling out “Watch them Pirates, keep yoiu eyes open Pirates, watch them Pirates.” While they were barracking, Cutbusli said to the line umpire, “Listen to those old Mrs luwood said, “Say those words again and I’ll slap your face.” Witness then spoke to Mr Gillooly and said what the referee had said and he said to wait till after the match. This was after the game had started about a quarter of an hour. When Mrs Inwood said she would slap his face, Cuthush turned round and shook his whistle in their face. During any part of the afternoon she did not use the language stated by Cutbush to have been used by her. After Griffiths j was ordered oil’, Mrs Inwood did not say I she would pull him to pieces. Whet? Griffiths was ordered oil’, witness was at the Hokitika end, and Mrs In wood was alongside her all the lime. They were a long way from where Griffiths was ordered off. After tho match, witness and Mrs In wood went up to Cuthush, and caught him by the sweater, 1 and asked him what he meant by using

the language to them. Cutbusli did not reply. Mrs luwood tripped and fell before she reached Cutbush. Mr Imvood then came up and smacked Cutbusli on the face with his open hand. Constable Evenden was on the grjiund during the whole game. Witness never crossed the ground till the game was over, blit kept mV the south side. When In wood smacked Cuthush, the latter walked off some 300 yards to where tho car was moving and lie jumped into the ear without it stopping. Witness remained in the township for some time after the j,-.y,yio and did not know anything about

the stone throwing oil the Rimu hill. Mrs In wood did not lay a hand ort Cutbush. He bad on a sweater and she caught hold of that. To Inspector Matheson. —Did not use any of the bad language stated by other witnesses. Did not associate Cutbush with Mrs Inwood’s fall. Did not lose her temper. Could, not give any reason for Cutbush addressing her as he had done. Constable Evenden was all over the side of the field at different times. She did not see Griffiths ordered off. . Julia Inwood deposed she resided with her husband at Woodstock. Was with Mrs Kelly at the match. Her brother was playing for Rimu. Had never seen Cutbush till play started. Mrs Kelly spoke to Gilloolv about 15 to 20 minutes after the game started. This was because Cuthush when the hall was out, turned and said, “Listen to those old ” Witness said if he said it again she would slap his face. Cuthush turned round and shook his whistle at her. Witness did not use the words Cutbush said she did. Neither did Mrs Kelly. Witness said, “Watch them Pirates, put the wind up Pirates. Come on Rimu.” When Griffiths was put off the field, they were not near Cuthush, and did not say they would have the referee up alter the match. They were not near at the time. They did not go screaming up and down the line. After the game was over witness went towards Cutbush to speak to him hut she slipped and fell and when she got up Constable Evenden was there and it was all over. She did not touch Cuthush at all. Gilloolv told her not to interfere till after the match. Did not know anything about the stone throwing down Rimu hill. To the Inspector.—She did not use any had language. The Court adjourned till 1.45 p.m.

AFTERNOON SITTING.

The Court resumed at 2 p.m. Leslie Inwood deposed lie was a dredge hand at Woodstock. He was present at the football match. About 15 minutes after the start heard Cutbush say, pointing to his wife and Mrs Kelly—“ Look at those old His wife said if be said that again fche would smack his face. Cutbush shook liis whistle at lvim. Witness was just behind the two women. Witness went to Const. Evenden to report what Cuthush had said, and told him about five minutes afterwards. Wheit Griffiths was ordered off in the second spell, hut wife and Mrs Kelly were about half a chain away. Witness was only a couple of yards away. His wife and Mrs Kelly did not use the words stated by Cutbush. He must have heard them if they had been used. Did not See his wife or Mrs Kelly rush across the field while the play was on. After the game went across to Cuthush to speak to him, when he saw his wife on the ground and considering that Cutbush had knocked her down he hit Cutbush lie then picked up his wife, a/id by then Const. Evenden was there. Saw Outbiisli wnlk away a< bout 300 yards and get into a car as it moved along slowly. To the Inspector—He admitted tint lie smacked Cutbush when be intended only to push him, Mrs Sell w ass, wife of Henry Sehwass at Rimu, deposed she was fit the Rimu football field. The game bad started when she arrived about teii minutes alter, Cutbush when stooping down for the ball said to Gillooly ■•Listen to those iw« old 'L- . were directed to the two defendants; Mrs iuwood said she would slap his lace, cutbush grinned and pointed his wnistie at Airs inwood. She spoke to Air Gillooly who said it the referee swore, he should be put off the field. Saw the man put off the field. Was near) tiie reieree at the time. Mrs kelly and Mrs luwood were not near the referee at the time and could not have said the words stated to have been used.

lo the Inspector—Heard the women say “put the wind up*” She did not hear any bad language used by the women and she was close to them all the time.

Elisha A. Wells deposed he was a storekeeper residing at AAoodstock. He was present at the football match. Did not hear any bad language used. Jolm Boyd deposed he resided at Rimu. Was present at the match. Saw Mrs Kelly and Mr* Inwood go up : (ifflooly and tell him the referee had called them* a pair of old ——. This was about a quarter of an hour after, the start. He was near these two women most of the afternoon. Did not hear them use any bad language. Did not hear any remark when Griffiths was put off the field, made to Cuthush by the women. j To the Inspector—Heard both the fe- ; males calling out to put the wind up. Heard Mrs Sehwass say to Gillooly was it usual for a referee to swear at women on the ground. Robert Hyndnian deposed lie was a

miner at Rimu. Was present at the match. Did not hear a wrong word during tlit: game. To the Inspector—Did not see the scrap at the end of the game. Charles Stoop deposed he was a miner at Rimu, and was present at the match. Saw the two women barracking in the usual way. Heard no had language. Arthur Nnncekivell deposed he resided at Woodstock. AYas present at the match and saw Mrs Inwood and Mrs Kelly. AYas no distance away from them at any time of the match. Did no thcar them use any bad language. At the end of the match saw Mrs Inwood slip over. AVus near the women when the player was put off. Did not hear the womeil speak to tho referee at this time. Michael Keenan deposed he lived at AVoodstoclc. Soon after tho game start-

ed saw Mrs Imvood and Mrs Kelly on tho south side. Saw Cuthush and heard say “Listen to those two old

and pointing to the two women defendants. He had no doubt about tho words. Saw Mr Inwood walk towards Constable Evenden. Heard the women barracking in the usual way. If bad language bad been used be would have been hound tol have heard it. To the Inspector—There was a. hostile demonstration against Cutbush after the match. . This was the case for the defence. His AVorship in giving judgment said a great deal of evidence was given in absolute direct contradiction. He was not satisfied as to the actual bad language being used by Cutbush though he was satisfied that soime derisive remark was made. He was satisfied

that a certain section of the spectators were not as unbiased as they might have been and that the two women wenleaders in that respect. AVhether the language was used that Cutbusli gave evidence of was correct, he was. v. prepared to say. He was not satisfied of the evidence of the happenings at the time the player was ordered off. He was satisfied the two women had a definite intention to assault. He was satisfied that Cutbush was assaulted by the women, and was also the subject of a cowardly assault by Inwood. He regretted that such an occurrence had marred a football match, a most unusual occurrence he was glad to be able to say, both on the. Coast and elsewhere. The three defendants would be convicted of assault. Airs Inwood and Mrs Kelly would be fined £2 with costs 43/-, and Inwood fined £2 and costs 45/-. No witness’ expenses would be allowed Kortegast as be did not consider bis evidence bad been properly given.