A DRUNKEN QUARREL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 81, 17 November 1911, Page 5

A DRUNKEN QUARREL.

AN ASSAULT A3' THE TUNNEL WORKS. COSTLY MISUN I)ERSTANDING. At the Magistrate’s Court this morning, Edward Lance and Ralph Maddock wore charged with having, on October 31st, at the Whangamomona tunnel works, assaulted Sarah, Edward, and Alfred Bradley, and with having done damage to the extent of £4 to spectacles worn by Sarah Bradley. Both pleaded guilty to all the charges. Sergeant McNeeley explained that on the date in question accused got drunk. They went to Bradley’s place, and Maddock assaulted him. At the time, Bradley was innocently chopping wood and gave no offence. Lance wont to Maddock’s assistance, and Bradley’s wife and son went to help him. The three of the Bradleys were assaulted. Mrs Bradley was caught round the legs, thrown to the ground and dragged along. Tnc father and son were punched and knocked down.

In answer to the S.M., Maddock said he took the whole of the blame on his own shoulders.

The S.M. (to Bradley): Why did the assault take place ? Bradley : There'was a grievance, but these men had no connection with it although they thought they had. The S.M. said £1 would have to he paid for the broken spectacles, and other expenses totalled £4 12s. In view of this lie did not desire to make the fine too heavy, although, as a general rule, ho was in the habit of sending meh to prison without the option of a lino for assaults on women. Each accused would be lined 40s lor the assault on Mrs Bradley and would bo ordered to pay half the expenses. On each of the other charges they would lie convicted and discharged, not because they did not deserve to ho fined, hut because they would otherwise be sufficiently punished. He advised accused to take out prohibition orders against themselves. Men often got into serious trouble through drink. With an entire absence of evil intent they sometimes were guilty of very serious offences. In the present case there might have been an axe lying about and either accused might have used it with fatal effects on one of the Bradleys. Young men at present made good wages, but spent too much on drink. He advised accused to put their money in the Post Office Savings Bank instead of buying drink; and be expressed the opinion that they would be surprised at the end of the year at the amount they had in the bank.