POLICE COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1932, Page 8

POLICE COURT

TROUBLE AT A DANCE

ILLEGAL BETTING CHARGE

WELLINGTON, April 18

“I went over and asked a lady for a dance. I asked the M.C. to put on a waltz, and he suid: ‘lf you do not like it—get 0ut....’ And then he closed in on u 5....”

This was the explanation given of the beginning of a disturbance which took place on a recent evening at a dance hall in the Cosmopoliton Hall. Parish Street, as a result of which two brothers, Arthur Hopper and- -John Hopper, each appeared in the Police Court yesterday charged with (a) behaving in a disorderly manner, and lb) with using obscene language. Both men were fined ill and costs on each charge. Senior-Sergeant Scott said that on the night in question, the Unemployed Worker’s Movement held a dance in the Coi-uuopolitan Hall, Parish Street. The two accused came into the hall, and very soon began to make themselves objectionable. They were requested to leave the hall/and this they resented, and went across to a woman and used objectionable langu-

Those in charge then took steps to have the two men removed from the hall. A general fight took place and blows were freely exchanged until the arrival of the police. They were then taken to the Taranaki Street Police Station and, after their wotinds had been dressed, they collapsed and became unconscious. Both smelt strongly of liqudiS and were subeequcnily removed to the public hospital. BETTING ALLEGED. Decision was reserved in a case where Janies O'Hanlon, barman, aged 57, was charged with having used the oar of the Hoyal Oak Hotel for the purpose of betting. Deiective-aergeaiit Kevell said that accused had occupied the position of head barman at the lloyal Oak Hotel for many years. Decently a constable was uetailed to detect breaches of the Gaming Act, and his inquiries toon him to the* bar of the lloyal Oak Hotel. Between March l(j and March the constable would allege that lie had bets with other moil. On March 29 a search warrant was executed, and certain paraphernalia was found in U Hanlon’s possession.

Detective Jarrold ck-scrijoed the executing of a search warrant on March 2b at the public bar of the Royal Oak Hotel. O’llanlon said that he had not been betting, and objected to himself and the bar being searched, until tile warrant was produced. Witness found two double-charts in accused’s waistcoat pocket. He repled: “Oh, nothing,” when asked why he had the double-charts on him, and said that someone must have left them on the bar.

Constable Summers said that he went to the bar of the Royal Oak Hotel on March 1(5, and entered into conversation with O’Hanlon regarding the making of bet,;. In tlu* afternoon again he returned and paid over 10s for a “double.” Witness detailed making a bet with O’Hanlon on the following day and again visited the bar on March 28. He made further b«ts on this occasion on a meeting held at Waipukurau. Counsel submitted that the evidence that the bar had been used for the purposes of betting was very meagre.