DISORDERLLY SCENE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1932, Page 8

DISORDERLLY SCENE

IN COUNTRY DANCE HALL

, .CONSTABLE DRAWS BATON

AUCKLAND, July 18

A- disorderly scene occurred at tne Settlers’ Hall at Oratia, in the Auckland district during a dance, which was attended by about -00 persons including >a, number who had gom there from Auckland by a bus. A

dispute arose about 10 o’clock, and t' e dance ended l in disorder. Constable Rushton was obstructed when arresting a man,, and was forced to draw, hiis baton and accept assistance, fromy a number of men.. Two men " ere a.fested for disorderly behaviour. ’At the Police Court Cyril Gcusmett. ■iged 21, labourer, and Kenneth Lesteh“ Elsinore,- 18, were charged, Gous nfett with, being disorderly wlr'l dfufik and also with resisting Constable Rushton while in the- execution of his . duty, and Elsmore wit! behaving in a disorderly manner.

'. Both men pleaded guilty. ,* Dpiectilye-Sergeant Kelly said residents of Oratia had recently complained of the conduct of a number of young men from Auckland who visit ed the hall., when dances, were held on Saturday nights, and, as

result Constable Rushton .Lad to pu ini the evening at the "hall: 1 When he arrested a young main for disorder! behaviour in., the dance hall Gousmett and ano'tbjer- man spoke to the Constable and- .raised all sorts of - questions. jGopsmett referred to the po. lice as “thieves.” ' He was surroundec Hyi a number of young and he defied Constable Rushton to take the prison er into custpdy.

.“Constable, Rushton .warned Gous mett and others that'he would useJus baton if, necessary, but this had nr effect,” added Mr Kelly. “In . thend. the constable did resort to the use of his baton, Even then it was ne. •. essary for' other decent: young men .t come to the., constable’s assistance.

’‘‘The, bus: in which the young mer travelled from Auckland had most m •'the windows smashed, and a grea many' of those who came by the bus were semi-intoxicated.’ ( ’ ‘ Counsel; for dousniett said accuse: was 0n1y,,21. When one of his friend ,»vas- arrested; Goiismett,,.who- had 'taken,, a: little : liquor, did not;; ap.i»r.>ci,yt-t what he ujas doing. The trouble started when the manager of the • ha’ll; told the. constable' not to take, idny no, tice of '.Gousmett, as he was drunk. Gousmett) resented this, .an an,, aLercation commenced between the hall man -ager and. Goui-mett. Gousmett couh. npt be blamed for tlie ■ broken bus windows. oi’| anything else that happened after, his arrest. The Probation Officer, Mr W.• J. dahipbellyV ashed that .Gousmett should be remanded, for a week for sentence. “Onlyc a . yveek tigo to-day I report© favourably upon him, and as a resul! he was. admitted to probation by the Supreme Court. : I now want 'to bring him .- before the ’ nidge again.”

Mr Mx'Kean. t'Onvieted Gousmett and remanded him for sentence.

Referring to ' the charge against Elsmore, Detective-Sergeant Kellv said-,that Elsmore. and the- master!of ceremonies at the dance were ntrugoling, on the dance floor when Constable Rushton, first ■ ; ri.oticeclf. him> -.j, Rlsmorc when jumping for balloons which were drooped from the ceiling, was noticed to , have" a bottle of wine in his pocket.’ ' .j; . ~

: Counsel said that somebody rise had placed the wine in accused’s .pocket.. / (.‘■‘You took 'part in an affair which refected no credit upon,, anybody,” said the magistrate in fining .Elsmore £3, or 14, days’ imprisonment.