CHAIRMEN FIGHT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 967, 9 May 1930, Page 10

CHAIRMEN FIGHT

DISPUTE AT UNEMPLOYED DEMONSTRATION FINE FOR AGGRESSOR A fight between the chairman and the ex-chairman at a demonstration of the unemployed in St. Matthew’s Church Hall on May 2 was aired in the Police Court this morning. The ex-chairman vvas held responsible by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., and fined £1 and costs. Talk of differing schools of thought at the demonstration, one school with a strong King and Empire bias and the other with more democratic leanings, was heard in the evidence. The chairman, John XVilliam Hughes, and the former chairman, George Lewis, were charged with fighting in the hall. “St. Matthew’s Church Hall is where the unemployed gather,” ChiefDetective Hammond explained. "These two men differed in political views, apparently, and there was a stand-np fight.” Detective Nalder, who attended the meeting of the unemployed, said Hughes was the chairman and, when he was in the chair, Lewis was not entitled to take his place. HIT ON THE NOSE "Lewis went on to the platform and a dispute arose over the chair,” witness said. "Lewis had his glasses broken and his nose was bleeding. He was taken away and returned. He came up behind Hughes and hit the chairman on the nose. There was a scuffle and Lewis was ejected from the hall. Lewis was undoubtedly the aggressor.” To Mr. F. W. Schramm, who represented Lewis, Detective Nalder said he heard Hughes say that he stood for King and Empire and was “against Communists.” That statement seemed to rouse feeling. Hughes had said nothing which could reasonably incite anyone, the witness informed counsel for Hughes, Mr. A. Smyth. Mr. Schramm argued that St. Matthew's Hall was not a public place. In evidence, Lewis denied having threatened Hughes. "Hughes claimed to be an ex-boxer and made trouble,” Lewis said. “He had a stick and broke my glasses. I cannot see without them and, if I hit Hughes on the nose, it was a blind blow in selfdefence.” Four witnesses were called on Lewis’s behalf, and he was said to have had the right to the chair for that day. Hughes had raised a stick to Lewis. Mr. Hunt, however, found that he would have to accept the evidence of detectives who were present, and judged Lewis to be the aggressor. There would be no penalty on Hughes.