DISGRACEFUL AFFAIR

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1927, Page 2

DISGRACEFUL AFFAIR

DANCER ATTACKED 13Y FOUR AIF.N. AUCKLAND, May 19. “It was a disgraceful affair, -worthy of a Sydney or Alelbaurne ‘push.’ ” Thus spoke Air Poynton, S.At., in the Pukekohe Police Court yesterday in fining four young men from Patumahoe, Goff Howard Charles, Edward Learning, Herbert Robinson and Leslie Shaw Needham for behaviour towards another young man, Richard AA’illiam Hovtim, at a dance at Mauku on Saturday. April 30th.

The trouble started through Learning taking exception to Horton dancing several times with a certain girl at a dance at Patumahoe oil April 27tli. Learning spoke to Horton in the hall on the matter and Horton replied that he would please himself. Howard and Learning wore charged with assaulting Horton, and Robinson and Needham were charged with iriotous behaviour.

Evidence was given that the men arrived at the hall at 10.30 p.m. by motor. Needham entered at Learning’s request and told Horton lie was wanted outside. Horton refused to go and Needham attempted to pull him out, hut he released himself. Later, the four accused rushed and cornered him. He jumped on to a form and defied them with a baton which he had concealed under liis coat. They stopped and when he lowered the baton, two of the accused took it from him. Howard rushed in and struck Horton’s artificial teeth. The master of ceremonies and another man corroborated Horton’s evidence. The four all took part in the attack, they said, and Horton mas in a stooping position when Howard struck him.

The Magistrate said that Howard hit the man in a most cowardly manner and he lielieved that the four men went to the hall for the purpose of getting at Horton, in spite of the fact fliat he had previously declined to fight Learning. It was a disgraceful thing to do at a public dance. Horton’s denture had cost £3 los to replace and los worth of damage had been done to his suit. Howard was fined £lO and costs 10s sd, in default one month’s gaol, Half of the fine to go to Horton. Learning and Robinson, and Needham were each fined £2 and costs.