“A STUPID AFFAIR”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 96, 14 July 1927, Page 15

“A STUPID AFFAIR”

FOUR MEN FINED FOR ASSAULT

YOUTH INJURED IN GROCERS’ "CHRISTENING”

SHOULD grocers be initiated? Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., thinks not, especially when the ceremony involves the painting of the victim's body with copying ink.

“TT'S a stupid thing,” said Mr. McKean, S.M., in the Police Court to-day when he fined three employees of a city grocery store £3 each for assault on a fellow employee, a fourth man, the manager of the store, being fined £l. The four men. Leslie Miller, Harry Chiplin, Charles Edward Powell and Frederick McGregor, were charged with assaulting Alfred Green on April 21. Alternative charges of indecent assault were not proceeded with, the magistrate holding the evidence to be insufficient. Mr. Dickson appeared for the defendants, and Sub-Inspector Lewin prosecuted. Dr. Alexander Kinder, who examined Green on April 28, said he was then in an advanced state of neurasthenia. He was vomiting and complained of abdominal pains. There were grazes on his head and temple and he could not move one elbow. Mr. Dickson: There were no -signs of pleurisy? “No.” You have taken more than a professional interest in this case?” “Yes,” said Dr. Kinder. “Did you not ring me up on April 28 and say that unless McGregor paid £2O by 6.30 p.m. you would put the matter in the hands, of the police?” “I said that honourable amends would have to be made.” “Did I suggest that another doctor should see Green?” was Mr. Dickson's next question. “You told me In a very rude manner to get two other doctors, but you did not say who would pay for them.” Mr. Dickson: “Don't be silly.” Dr. Kinder said that he told the police of the affair. COMPLAINANT’S STORY Alfred Green, aged 22, of 65 Brighton Road, Parnell, s.aid that he had worked at the store for about six months. McGregor, the manager, asked him if he had been christened before and he replied “No.”“I thought if was just a bit of fun,” said the witness, “bumping or something like that. But when I was told what the christening was, I objected. McGregor then told me it was the rule of the shop. He also said that

they would be more determined to do it if I objected.” STOMACH PAINTED

A\ itness then went on to describe the actual assault. He had just finished eating his lunch In the storeroom when Miller came along and threw him. Witness jumped up, but was thrown again by three of the defendants. McGregor twisted his leg when he was on the floor, and Miller interfered with his clothes, while Powell painted his stomach with ink. The operation took about 15 minutes. Mr. Dickson: Did you not know it was the custom for grocers to be ‘christened’? “No.” “Have j'ou ever mixed with men?” “Only when cycling,” replied Green. “You’ve never been in a Rugby, or better still, a League scrum?” asked Mr. Dickson. “No.” Green went home after the incident, feeling sick and shaken, he said. His father, who saw him that evening, said that the boy’s body was a disgusting sight. “It was terrible for any father to see,” he added. Mr. Dickson said that the "christening” operation was not an uncommon one, and had been performed hundreds of times in Auckland. It was nol done with any intent to inflict injury. The defendant Miller said that Green had bit and kicked during the ceremony. He believed that it was a common practice in warehouses, but it was the only initiation he had taken part in. McGregor, the manager of the store, said that the initiation was a common practice. The Magistrate: Do you think it was right of you to take part in this business? “No, I’m sorry now.” In giving judgment, the magistrate said that the results were unexpected and Green incurred expense in consequence. The matter of compensation would have to be left to the parties to adjust. “The whole affair was a stupid thing, and these young men must realise in the future that stupid conduct has its consequences,” said the magistrate. “The manager, who should be controlling the staff, should have known better.” Powell, Chiplin and Miller were each fined £3 and McGregor £l.