FINED 5s.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1675, 15 February 1917, Page 4

FINED ss.

A SQUABBLE IN A UNION’S

OFFICE

In the Palmerston Magistrate’s Court on Monday last, before Mr \\. G. K. Kenriek, S.M., Percy Robinson, secretary to the Manawatu Flaxmillers Union, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting Henry Charles Paul.

Complainant was represented by Mr H. Gilford Moore, and defendant appeared in person. Complainant in the box said that he had joined the Drivers’ Union. On the day of the assault he 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 witness' that Thorne was in his proper place. Robinson, when witness made this remark, struck witness across the face with his Hat hand and later repeated the blow. He received such facial injury that he had to receive attention from Dr. Belt, from whom he produced a certificate. Robinson: Didn't you say that unionism was no damned good to (lie workers ’ Witness: Yes, 1 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: 1 did not. 1 am not in the habit of using such 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 (old him he rang up Mr Robinson. He said: My man has been round lo your oflice, hasn’t he, and you si ruck him .’ The answer came: What's that you want to know? Witness repeated his query. Robinson said: “Is that ail you want lo know?" and rang off. Robinson: No questions. Defendant in the box related some irrelevant discussion that had occurred, and said that complainant had staled 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 suid, “That’s the best piece for the dirty——." Witness then said, “If you say that again I will strike you.’’ The offensive phrase was repealed, and witness struck him. His Worship; Didn't you use any bad language? Witness: No, I didn't, because there is a female assistant in the office, and therefore I refrained from using bad language. His Worship: Complainant says that he never used language. Witness: That’s a lie. He did. James William Stephenson, sworn, >aid that he went into defendant's office and found an argument going on concerning union dues. I’attl also said concerning Thorn that the b wtis in his place. Robinson objected, and Paul repeating the offensive term, Robinson struck him three limes with the Hal of his right hand. His Worship thought that there was not justification for all the blows struck. lie thought that a tine of 5s with the recording of a conviction and no costs would meet the case.