HUGGING AND HITTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 859, 31 December 1929, Page 11

HUGGING AND HITTING

AMOROUS ARGENTINIAN FINED £2 FIREMAN ON GREEK SHIP An Argentinian fireman from the Greek ship, Dionyssios Strathatos, was told by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at tile Police Court this morning that he must behave himself in Auckland. Last evening he embraced a strange woman on the wharf and assaulted a fireman from another ship who championed the frightened wonjan. Maximo Enke, aged 36, was charged with assaulting Thomas Frank Benson. He pleaded not guilty and demanded that all witnesses speak slowly and distinctly so that he would know what was being said. Benson said he had been standing by the gangway of his vessel at the King’s Wharf last evening. Accused had put his arm round a woman who was walking up the wharf. She struggled and pushed him away and witness had suggested that Enke behave himself. His intervention had been greeted with a torrent of bad language. “He said he would stick a knife into me and tear me to pieces,” added witness. The man, who had two friends with him, had forced his way up the gangway and attacked witness, who broke away and complained to the gatekeeper. Alfred Thomas Boddington, ship’s fireman, corroborated the evidence of the previous witness. fie added that accused had struck Benson twice. There had been no provocation. Accused cross-examined both witnesses with some vigour and upbraided Boddington for not joining in the scuffle when Benson was attacked. “I only spoke to the ■woman,” he urged. “I admit I hit Benson, but he challenged me.” Enke said he had witnesses but knew them only by their first names and would find it somewhat difficult to find them. “He is on a Greek ship, the . . said the sub-inspector. The Magistrate: Don’t say it. I know. Enke was fined £2, in default seven days’ imprisonment, and ordered to pay witnesses’ expenses £l. Should he not pay the fine, he will be placed on the ship at sailing time. When he realised what his punishment was, Enke discharged a quick fire of incoherent comments at the Bench. He could still be heard airing his grievances after being removed to the prisoners’ room and had finally to be hushed to silence by a sergeant and two constables.