PIE CART FRACAS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12615, 27 November 1926, Page 4

PIE CART FRACAS

BLACK EYE AND PATCHES FATHER AND SON CAUSE TROUBLE “CLEANING UP THE CROWD” On the evening of Saturday, November 13th, Michael Blewman was doinga roaring trade in pies, peas, and potatoes at his street cafe or pie cart on the corner of Blair street and Courtenay Place. As the hours grew so did the number of people waiting to be served. Just before midnight the queue became rather big for Mr Blewman and bis assistant to deal with, and the crowd became rather restless. This nil tended to disturb the serenity of 'William Stevens and his son, William Henry. They came downstairs from their rooms nearby, and trouble was soon imminent. By this time Blewman had sold out of pies. This was fortunate as,' in the light of further happenings, the whole affair might easily havo had nil tho ingredients of a Mack Sennett comedy. At anyrate there tvns a good rumpus, with the result that the Stevens menfolk stood before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday to answer charges of assaulting Michael Blewman. THE “JACK JOHNSON ACT” Mr Blewman stepped into the witness box, and said that the first he knew of the trouble was when he saw the two accused “knocking some fellows about.” He went out and remonstrated, whereupon young Stevens rushed in and “started to do the Jack Johnson.” Witness came out of the affray with “a black eye and some patches.” Stevens senior was said to have used both hands and feet as a means to obtain necessary results. The next witness was Henry Hamilton, the assistant at the pie-cart. He explained that a crowd was waiting .to be served when he saw Stevens senior “ ‘crack’ Mr Blewman.” “WE CAN MANAGE THE LOT” A youth named Alfred Holden was standing on the corner, and had a first-rate view of all the fun. Stevens came down and told the people not to make so much noise, and to move away. He then called out to his father, “Come down, dad, wo can just about manage the lot of them.” Stevens senior accepted the invitation, and promptly came down. When the disturbance started Blewman objected to tho proceedings. Then the row started. Witness declared that Stevens junior called out: “Go oil, father, clean him up”—another invitation which was readily accepted. Constable Stevenson stated that by the time he was called the fight was over. He interviewed the two accused in their rooms, and was of opinion that they had had some liquor. However, they were quite quiet then. The “cleaning up” process cost the Stevens £1 each, in default seven days’ imprisonment.