Fined 5s

Levin Daily Chronicle, 17 February 1917, Page 3

Fined 5s

A SQUABBLE IN A UXIOX'S OFFICE. (iFoxton Herald.) iln the Palmerston Magistrate's Court on Monday last, before Mr W. G. Kenrick, S.M. ; Percy Robinson, secretary to . the Manawatu Flax-miller;. Union, pleaded not guilty to a chnrjof assaulting Henry Charles Paul. Complainant was represented '>y 'Mr. H. Gifford Moore, and defendant appeared in person. Complainant in the box said that he had joined the Drivers' Union. On the day of the assault lie' went over to Mr Robinson to pay his fee to the union. There some little discussion took place and' an altercation arose because of a remark of witnfcss' that Thorne was in his proper place. Robinson, when witness made this remark, struck witness across the face with his flat hand and ter repeated the blow. He received such facial injury that he had to receive attention from Dr. Bett, from whom he produced a certificate. Robinson: Didn't you say that unionism was ' no damned good to the workers? Witness: Yes, I did. Robinson.: Is it a fact that you joined the Drivers' Union in 1911 and did not pay l your dues Witness : I always paid my dues on demand. Robertson: Didn't you say that gaol was the best place for such a dirty as Thorn? Witness: I did not. lam not in the habit of using such language. Robinson: Didn't you say that unionism was no damned good to the workers ? Witness: Yes I did. Robinson: Is it a fact that you joined the Drivers' Union in 1911 and did not pay your dues? Witness: I always paid my dues on demand. Robinson: Didn't you say that gaol was the best place for such a dirty as Thorn? Witness: • I did not. I am not in the habit of using Buch language.

Robinson: Didn't you come back to the office and apologise for the use of the language regarding Mr Thorn?

"Witness: Yes, I did. But it was not that language.

Henry Stratford Porteous said that complainant was in his employ. From what Paul told him he rang up Mr Robinson. He said: My man has been round to your office, and you struck himP The answer came: What's that you want to know. Witness repeated his query. Robinson said: Is that all you want to know? and rang off.

Eiobinson: No questions

Defendant in the fa ox related some irrevelnnt discussion that had occurred, and said that complainant had stated that unionism was no good to the workers and only good for fat jobs for men such as witness. Witness said that he had only taken Jimmy Thorn's place. Thorn being in gaol. Complainant said "That's the best place for the dirty Witness then said, "If you say that again I will

strike you." The offensive phrase was repeated, and witness struck him. His AVorship: Didn't you use any bad language? Witness : No, -1 didn't, bejaausje there is a female assistant in the office and therefore I refrained from using bad language. His Worship: Complainant says that he never used bad language. Witness: That's a lie. He did. James William Stephenson, sworn, said that he went into defendant's office and found an argument going- on cerning union dues. Paul also said concerning Thorn that the b was in his place. Robinson objected, and Paul repeating the offensive term, Robinson struck him three times with the flat of his right hand. His Worship thought that there was no justification for all the blows struck. He thought that a fine of 5s with the recording of a conviction would meet the case.