A SHOWER OF BEER

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2309, 30 July 1921, Page 3

A SHOWER OF BEER

MOTORISTS BESPRINKLED

At the local Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., Haare Poutahi was charged by the police with disorderly behaviour on July oth. Accused pleaded guilty. Constable Owen slated that between 6 and 7 o’clock on July oth, as Mr Renton, of Himatangi, accompanied by several ladies, were motoring to Foxton, and when a little distance from the Motuiti station, on the Foxton side, they literally ran into a shower of beer. The occupants of the car saw two Maoris disappearing in the long grass and scrub on the roadside. The car*was turned, and went in pursuit of the fleeing Natives, two of whom were identified. On arriving at Foxton an information was laid against the culprits. Constable Owen stated that next morning he proceeded to the pah, at Motuiti, and interviewed the two Natives. Both denied having thrown the beer, but accused, who was with them, informed witness that if was he who had thrown it, Mr Renton, he said, had not seen him, because he (accused) had run in the opposite direction to that taken by his comrades. He also said that the other two were not responsible for the shower of amber liquid. Accused admitted to witness that during the afternoon he and his two friends had come in to Foxton, and had left the'town that evening a little the worse for liquor. As the ear was approaching he had a bottle of beer in his hand, with the cork drawn, and was. waving it about in the air as the car passed, and the beer must have sprayed the occupants of the car. Complainant informed Constable Owen that the Peer was thrown in his face. He, as well as the other three occupants of the car, were all besprinkled with the liquor. There was such a quantity of it over them that complainant did not think il could have been accidental. Complainant pul in a claim for .Cl for the renovation of his hat, which was badly stained. The Magistrate said that plaintiff wo.uld have to enter a sepnrate vac--1 ion for damages, but convicted and lined accused £l, with 12s costs.