A RACECOURSE BRAWL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 195, 7 January 1913, Page 6

A RACECOURSE BRAWL.

HOW IT STARTED. An echo of the Christmas race meeting at New Plymouth was heard in the Mh 3 r istratc's Court yesterday, when John liamshaw, alias Smithers, was charged with assaulting Eric Norman Bellringer. hi connection with the same incident, George Jones was arraigned on a charge of the theft of about' lis in money from Bellringer. The original charge against the accused was assault with intention to rob, but after enquiring into the facts of the case the police reduced it to one of common assault and theft. Earnsliaw pleaded guilty, and was represented by Mr. J. H. Quilliam, who said that there was no attempt to seriously injure Bellringer. It was merely the retaliation by the accused on account of a supposed insult which had been offered by Bellringer. There was nothing to distinguish it from the "ordinary racecourse row." While Earnshaw ivas on his way to collect a dividend at the totalissitor, Bellringer knocked his hat off —presumably accidentally—and with that he (accused) rushed in and avenged his honor. The police placed a somewhat different construction on the encounter, contending that the headgear was knockcdoff quite accidentally, and that after waiting accused struck Bellringer several times, finally knocking him out. In falling, Bellringer let go of his money which was scattered on the ground, and Jones rushed in and picked it up. A witness called by the police, said that Bellringer, who was under the influence of liquor, did not attempt to defend himself. There was no lapse of time between the hat incident and the "mix-up." This contention was disputed bv another witness.

According to the Magistrate, the evidence showed that it was a deliberate assault without any justification whatever, a fid the accused really deserved imprisonment. In view of the circumstances, however, he would impose a fine of £5, and costs £2 '2s 3d. The option was fixed at a month's imprisonment. and a month allowed in which to pay the flue.' Jones, who was defended by Mr. P. O'Dea, pleaded not guilty. According to Senior-Sergeant Haddrell, .Tones rushed in, picked up what money he could, and cleared. He was shadowed by a Maori, a friend of Bellringer. who eventually pointed him out to the police. When arrested the accused had denied any knowledge of the affair. Evidence was given by several witnesses, one of whom stated that with the silver found in Jones' pocket at the time of his arrest was some grasis. which he (witness) concluded had been picked up with the money.

Giving evidence on his own behalf. Jones stated that he was standing near the totalisator when a fight occurred, , and in the scuffle some money was dropped. He helped several others to pick it up, and recovered 3s ."of it himself, with the object of returning it to Bellringer. He was walking round to try to find the latter when he was arrested. He told the constable that he "had not picked up any money because he was afraid of being arrested. Patrick Gallagher, a milker, deposed that he saw the assault take place. He did not sre Jones .there.,/but saw others picking up the money. Earnshaw, th'e defendant in the preceding action, said that the first time he saw Jones was on the .racecourse, ami that he knew nothing about him previously.

Tn dismissing the information, Mr. A. Orooke, S.M., commented.that he did not think that when accused picked- up; the money he did so with -the idea of stealing it. He hoped that it would be a warning (o him to keep a,way from bad company in future.