FREE FIGHT AT DANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 386, 21 June 1928, Page 18

FREE FIGHT AT DANCE

FOUR MEN CHARGED PROBATION ON STRICT TERMS (Special to THE SUN) NEW PLYMOUTH, Wednesday. “You have been a trouble to everybody, now I am going to be a trouble to you,” said Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., when he sentenced four young men who were charged with making a disturbance at a dance at Koru on April 17. It was alleged that the men used obscene language and indulged in a fre© fight with the ball committee and officials. It was, one witness stated, the worst disturbance he had ever seen, and caused many to leave the dance early. The defence was that the Koru officials were looking for a fight, and they got it after extreme provocation. Many of the charges were completely denied. The magistrate told accused that he did not believe their story. Referring to an incident the magistrate continued: “Further, you have suggested that a constable took notes from one witness out of the court to another witness. That is impossible to believe, and could only be suggested by people whose minds were warped. Your evidence is very unsatisfactory, and I am sorry young girls have been brought in in an attempt to bolster up the defence. “Instead of sending you to prison as you really deserve, Knight and Earley will be admitted to probation for a term of 12 months, and Seamark and Anthony for 16 months, but in addition to the usual terms you must not be out after 9 p.m., you must take out prohibition orders and not enter licensed premises.” The magistrate then warned the men that if they came before him again he would send them to gaol. They were also ordered to pay th e cost of the prosecution, £4 11s, 14 days being allowed in which to pay.