FIGHT AT A PARTY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 577, 1 February 1929, Page 16

FIGHT AT A PARTY

FIREMAN BADLY HURT COURT HELD IN HOSPITAL Press Association WELLINGTON, Thursday. A special sitting of the Magistrate’s Court was held by Mr. Page, S.M., at Wellington Hospital to-day, . when James Smith, aged 23, a labourer, was charged that, with intent to do grievous bodily harm, he did actual bodily harm to John Leaf. The allegation of Leaf, -who hardly spoke above a whisper throughout, was that he went to stay at Mrs. Perry’s house in Cuba Street, and that some men brought bottles of beer with them to a party on Friday evening. All went well until 11 o’clock, when one of the men proposed a toast that was objectionable to witness, on account of some reference to his colour. Mrs. Perry told witness one of the men did not like coloured men and objected to drinking with them. There was an argument and complainant said he got up from his seat to strike the man who made the toast, and he was hit by the other man from oehind. Leaf said he was a ship’s fireman and had left the Ruapehu at Auckland. The case was adjourned until February 6. Bail was not asked for.