WORKMAN’S OUTBREAK

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1931, Page 2

WORKMAN’S OUTBREAK

ASSAULT ON SUPERIOR. TROUBLE AT ELECTRICAL SUB-STATION. AUCKLAND, June ]. Greasy underclothes and an oilstained 'suit were shown to Mr K. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court r.s proof that there had been a lot of trouble at the Penrose electrical substation on May (j. After lengthy 'evidence had 'been heard, Charles West, an employee, was fined £0 for assaulting the superintendent, Oscar Edward Chamberlain, and damaging his ciotlies. Detective-Sergeant Kelly told tinstory. He said that Chamberlain bad occasion to speak to West, and West had dragged Chamberlain across the floor, knocked him down a.t'd Kicked him. ‘‘West and bis mate were working in the erank-oase of a Diesel engine,” said Chainb e rlaiu. “I told AYest that lie should do the job in a different way. Then I was knocked down and kicked. My clothes were torn, my head was bruised, my eve blackened, and my nose bled. The job West was working on was a very difficult one, and I can only conclude that he was upset with the job.. He suggested that l should put on overalls and do the job myself. He has been a good workman, and I can’t account for his actions, Of course, he hu a since been dismissed.” MENTION OF SHORT PAY.

Mr Rae (who appeared for West) ; There was some trouble over short pay, was there/ natp—l don’t know of any trouble. He was paid £0 or £0 short?—l think lie was. That has occurred before ?—Very occasionally, but it has always be<*i made up. •When fie knocked you down, did you try to hit him when you got up?—l never fight with my staff. Mr Hunt-. I always thought that an engineer had a spanner handy?—They do at sea. When it was suggested that West had kicked Chamberlain while he was down, defendant lay oil the floor of the Court to show that Chamberlain could not have seen whether he was kicked by West. Chamberlain produced a grey suit with blood stains on it. .“Well, you can’t go' to a garden party in that,” remarked Mr Hunt. Constable Henry said that West had admitted that lie had assaulted Chamberlain. He said that lie had intended to toss Chamberlain into a 50-gallon tub outside. Mr Rae aa id that at the time West was under a mistaken impression, Ho admitted that ho. \shouldi mot-•. havestruck Chamberlain, but said that it was done im 'the heat, of the moment.

“JOR EOR LABOURER,” “I spoke to Chamberlain about the dirty job,” said West in evidence. “I had been on it for ( a week, and the cleaning of the crankcase was a job for a labourer. 1 ruined clothes to the extent of £lO, and my overalls cost me 4s 6d,a week to get cleaned. 1 have. got a chief engineer’s ticket and- ” Mr Hunt; Oh, have you? Well, wh a t would you do if orip of your men assaulted you?—l’d have ago at him I’ve .Nad a go wjth some very tough firemen in my time. Air Hunt; But you generally keep n spanner handy, don’t you ? West went- on to say that he had been employed at the station for the past five yqars, and now he had lo,st his job through Chamberlain, “You should not take the law into your own hands,” said Mr Hunt. “It is a very serious matter to assault your superior. If I did the right thing I would send you to gaol for a month. West was convicted and ordered to pay the damage to the clothes, amounting to £4, and was fined £1 for assault. He was allowed a week to find the money, otherwise he will go to ga<ff for a moxi tli.