LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR FINED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 442, 24 November 1908, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR FINED.

Abusive Behaviour.

Christchurch, Nov., 21

At the Magistrate’s Court this morning, John Barr, of Redcliffs, stonemason, and member of the legislative Council, was charged, on the information of James Wilson, of Lin wood, and president of the Stevedores’ Union, with having, on October 28. behaved in an abusive manner at Sumner whereby a breach of the pea~e might have been occasioned by unlawfully seizing the informant by the wrist and saying to him: “You are a dirty low-down cur. You are a damned traitor.’’

James Wilson, the informant, said that he brought the charge in order to vindicate his character. The behaviour complained of took place at the conclusion ot one of Dr. Thacker’s political meetings at Summer, which was attended by Mr Barr and a number of Mr George Laurenson’s Lyttelton committee, During the course of Dr Thacker’s meeting, witness was employed as a messenger to collect questions to be answered by the candidate. He had refused to take a handful of questions from Mr Laurenson’s secretary, who then handed them to Mr Barr, who said, referring to witness: “Does this thing refuse to take the questions ?” Mr Barr then addressed the chairman, and a disturbance ensued, which subsequently broke up the meeting. After the meeting, defendant came up to witness, who was speaking at the time to Dr Thacker as he was getting into his motor car, and seized him by the wrist, using the words complained of. Witness replied, “ You’re a gentleman, and you’re the Hon John Barr.” There were between 200 and 300 people on the road at the time, and witness was sure that there would have been a free fight if he had not kept his temper. Defendant' was in a temper, and kept roaring and spitting at him. Informant brought three witnesses, who corroborated his evidence.

The defendant stated that he had not gone to Dr Thacker’s meeting with any intention of raising any disturbance, and at the close of the meeting he went to Dr Thacker to explain this. He -admitted catching hold of the informant, and wanted to know why he had refused to allow him to hand in questions for the candidate to answer. He had no recollection of having used the words complained ot. People had made the charge against him of coming to the meeting for the purpose of breaking it up, and he wanted to assure the Doctor that this was not a fact.

The defendant called*his son and daughter and Mr John Maffey, wbJ said they did not hear defendant use the words complained of. J.'he Magistrate said that if this was the aftermath of a political meeting he was glad he did not attend them. He must believe frejm the evidence that the defendant was excited, and had really said the words he did not intend to use. At such times, no doubt, i men lost their individuality, but Mr Barr, hplding the position he shown more restraint. A fine of 40s and costs was imposed. ■