FOOTBALLERS IN TROUBLE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3769, 22 August 1907, Page 3

FOOTBALLERS IN TROUBLE.

Sequel to the Fracas at Sanson. Fcilding Star. At the Feilding S.M. Court on Tuesday, before Mr A. D. Thomson, S.M , John Williams was charged with using threatening behaviour at Sanson on 13th July last. Mr Carty appeared for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. The solicitor asked that several other similar cases be taken at the same time. Sergeant Bowden, conduct ing the case for the prosecution, objected. The objection was upheld. Sergeant Bowden explained that the case arose out of an alleged squabble following on a football match at Sanson between the Sanson an Albion teams. Fred. Robinson deposed : I am a farmer at Foxton. On 13th July I was at Sanson, having gone there with the Albion Football Club ; they played a match there, and after that I went to the township with some other players ; we went to the temporary hotel, Barber, Hunter, and others being with me ; I saw John Williams there, but said nothing to him at the time ; I also saw Larkin there, and also saw him and Williams fighting ; I saw Williams strike Larkin first, and then they fought for about ten minutes; I cautioned Williams that I would report him to the Union if he caused any trouble ; in the hotel Williams was threatening to knock the head off Curtis and I cautioned him, and he caught me by the throat; following on this, there was a general disturbance —one of the most disgraceful scenes I have ever witnessed ; when Larkin put his hand on Williams’ shoulder, he did it in a friendly way, and not in a passion.

By Mr Carty: I have been two or three times to Sanson with football teams; on this day we went to have a drink before leaving for Foxton ; we got to the township about 5.30 ; from the light of the bar we could see those on the road ; Larkin told Williams he played like a book; Curtis was warned for rough play in the match ; I tried to keep the men quiet, because there were no police about, and I knew the Union would object to any quarrel; I think Larkin’meant his action in' putting his hand on Williams’ shoulder as a pure joke ; if he wanted to hit him, he could have hit him in the lace ; I saw Hartley strike Dunn, but I don’t know what provocation he had ; I saw Larkin take his coat off, but don’t know whose coat was off first ; we tried to stop the row, but we had no chance.

By the Sergeant : I had one drink in the hotel; there was no one under the influence of liquor. Thomas Curtis deposed: On 13th July I was at Sanson, pkwing in the football match for the Albions ; the game was over about 4.30, and after that I went to the hotel in the town ; Larkin, Robinson, Hunter, and others were with me ; I had one glass ; I saw Williams there ; he came up to me and wanted to fight me ; we had a few words on the field, but nothing to cause a fight ; I refused to fight; Robinson told Williams that if he continued to want to fight, he would have to report him to the Union ; then Williams caught Robinson by the throat, bent him back over the bar, and said he would strangle him; afterwards Williams went outside the bar and met Larkin ; the latter put his hand on Williams’ shoulder and said, “ You played like a book Williams struck Larkin, and they bad a fight. By Mr Cartj T : It was not dark when the squabble took place; I was disqualified for six months by the Union, for some offence at this match ; I saw the trouble between Hartley and Dunn ; Hartley came through the crowd with his coat off, and struck Dunn ; Williams got in the first blow in the fight with Larkin ; I don’t know where Robinson was; Larkin was not much hurt; they were detei mined enough, but did not hurt each other much ; there are no bad feelings between the Albion and Sanson Clubs ; I don’t think the Albions went up to town looking for trouble after this match.

By the Sergeant: I don’t know what the referee reported on the match. William Hunter deposed: I went to Sanson and played for the Albions on 13th July ; I went with Barber to the hotel after the match; witness corroborated the evidence of previous witnesses ; he also saw the fight between Hartley and Dunn, and one between Hartley and Williams ; in trying to stop the fight, I was bitten on the finger by Hartley. John Richardson deposed : I am the captain of the Sanson Football Club ; I saw the fight between Williams and Larkin, but do not know what led up to it; I don’t think they were hurting each other. R. Croucher gave evidence, but did not give anything bearing on the fights. Pete Larkin deposed: I went into the hotel with Dan Mullins, after the match on the 13th ; I remained three about five minutes, and saw Robinson and Williams there; Hunter and Curtis were also there ; I have known Williams for the last two seasons. Williams came out and said something about the book, and we spoke for a while, when I noticed Williams getting wild; I put my hand on his shoulder to preserve good humour, and he struck me in the face. By Mr Carty: I was not looking for anything at all; Williams struck me first ; I was not knocked

about in the fight; I believe Williams is a better man with his fists than I; it takes about 25 whiskies to upset me. (Laughter). By Sergeant Bowden : I was sober when the fight occurred. John Williams deposed ; When the police statement was got from me, it was alleged that there had been trouble on licensed premises ; after the game I was joking with Larkin about using the words, “Like a book.’’ Larkin put his hand on my shoulder, and I put my hand on his head ; he took off his coat, and I had to defend myself against his attack ; I did not hurt him ; I also had to defend myself against Dunn. By Sergeant Bowden: When you got the statement trom me, you told me I would probably be prosecuted for insulting behaviour in the street; and you did not mislead me ; I have been disqualified for 12 months by the Rugby Union for this business ; after the fight with Larkin, I had a little flutter with Dunn; did not threaten to strangle Robinson, and he did not catch hold of him, neither did he threaten Curtis ; Larkin delivered the first blow'in the fight with me.

George Jessop deposed that he was in the bar at the time of the occurrence ; did not see Williams touch Robinson, or threaten him in any way. Penny pulled Williams away fiom the Maori (Larkin), who had struck the first blow; Dunn started the fight with Williams, and the latter defended himself. By the geargeant ; I did not see or hear any altercation between Williams and Robinson in the bar. F. C. Watkins deposed : I have nothing to do with the football teams ; on the 13th July I was at the hotel, and did not see anything happen in the bar ; I did not see anything of a man threatened with throttling ; I saw no assault in the bar ; if there had been anv scuffling, I must have heard it: outside, I saw Larkin and Williams skylarking, which finished up by Larkin putting his hand on Williams’ shoulder ; Williams put his hand on Larkin’s hat, and then Larkin shaped up; Penny held Williams back, but afterwards let him go, and they fought for a few minutes ; later on Hartley came on, and struck Williams, and those two had a fight. By the Sergeant; The Albions were a bit sore over losing the game ; Robinson and Williams had an old grievance—they had some words a fortnight previously about refereeing in a match. By the Bench ; I have had no conversation with the hotelkeeper about the case; the police came over to Sandon and tried to make out there was a disturbance in licensed premises ; we have talked about the row at Sandon, amongst ourselves, but not with Morse; I did not know until last night I was to give evidence in the case. By the Sergeant: Constable Breen spoke to me at Bulls about the case, but I refused to give information ; after the row, it was agreed we would say nothing about it ; but it leaked out, and the Sandon people had to speak out; a decanter of whisky had been taken from the hotel, and it was suggested that the Albions had taken it ; they got out of the coach and the whisk} 7 was not found there.

William Penny deposed ; I was present at the hotel on the evening of the 13th July ; Larkin and Williams had a bit of a barrack about the match ; Larkin hit Williams on the shoulder, and the latter knocked Larkin’s hat off ; I took Williams away, and told him not to fight ; someone pulled me away and they started fighting ; Williams had his coat on ; certainly Larkin started the fight; Dunn afterwards fought Williams, and I am quite satisfied Williams was not the aggressor iff either case. By the Sergeant: Every one there wanted to see a fight, and as there were about 60 there, it was difficult to avoid a fight; I don’t think Robinson is particular as to telling the truth ; I did not hear Robinson caution Williams - ; I promised Robinson I would support him it he brought the case before the Union ; I don’t believe any row took place in the hotel bar. John Dwyer deposed; At the hotel on 13th July, I saw Larkin come out of the hotel and hit Williams in the street; a man named A’Court tried to stop them ; afterwards Dunn came along, and said, “ Here’s a boy who wants a little of that he and Williams had a fight. By the Sergeant: Watkins told me outside the Court this morning it was Larkins who fought with Williams. The Bench recalled Jessop, who deposed that he did not see any row in the bar. Larkin, recalled, stated he did not strike Williams first; I put my hand on his shoulder, and he struck me on the face knocking my hat off. The . Bench retired to consider the evidence. The Bench said the case presented a great deal of difficulty, because of the conflict of evidence, and the false swearing. There were three witnesses against three. But the evidence of witnesses were very unsatisfactory. Jessop and Watkins would not swear there was no row in the bar, but they said they did not see it. Penny was not in the bar. There was nothing to do but find the defendant guilty, equally with Larkin, who had pleaded guilty.

Williams and Larkin were each fined £i, with costs —x6s 3d, to be divided equally between the parties.

The Sergeant, with the consent ot the Bench, withdrew a case set against Hartley.