A Slight Difference.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 237, 11 October 1904, Page 4

A Slight Difference.

Mr T. ir.utoluison, S.M., had a hard nut to crack at the Police Court yesterday, when a friendly dispute between the porter and late kitchenman at the Trocadero Hotel, having got beyond the conciliatory powers of the parties themselves, was brought up for settlement. Both informant, (for whom Mr Quilliam appcarud) and defendant bore the impress of a haixl 'taught battle., the former possessing "itwq lovelybb a ck eyes," and the latter ataruised hand. The affray took place in the room of Jas. Hate, porter at the hotel, on October 6tih), when «s a'll-egfd by informant defendant burst open tho door, saying, "1 am going to give it to ?ou now." T:n.it (the defendant) kicked him on the right jaw, clutching him by the throat, and pommelling him in the face. Informant crept under the stretcher Until he saw the back 0 f the intruder, a nd then, failing in a staaireh; for a anan in blue, again sought quarters under the bed, remaining there all night. ]« cross-examination it was admitted that a sore point between the two wusi the subject of wages, T a it complaining; that the, other worked for too little. Hate denied striking Tait.

licorge Hale, proprietor of the Trocadero Hotel, said that on Uie night lo question, defendant complained that Bate had struck him at the railway station. Tait was then under the influence of liquor. The next morning tho appearance of Date was shocking. Bate when drunk spoke roucjhly to the giife, and Tait had sukl Jij would pommel tho porter. Tait was the better servant of the two, and had tho affair been reversed he would not have been s 0 surprb/ud. Alexander Tait, tho defendant, elected to give evidence, (l nd said that he had given notice to Mr Hale a month ago owing to being annoyed at Bate's Conduct, while drunk. MiHale offered him a rise in wages, ro he stayed on. Bate threatened to do for him by hitting him over the head with a stick.' Bate had called one of the servant girls a niort opprobrious title. On tike sixth of October the two had a few words, witness admitting he had had a few drinks, though he was not drunk, ilute had to pass through defendant's room to get to his own, and struck defendant on the face and hard. He retaliated, Bate being pushed through the doorway into his own room. Tait was deaf in the right enr as the result of the blow, which he was not mire was delivered by either fist or shoe. The Case was dismissed.