FIGHT IN DEVON STREET.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 March 1920, Page 6

FIGHT IN DEVON STREET.

TWO MEN COME TO BLOWS. SEQUEL IN. THE COURT. The sequel to a fight in Devon street, on a. recent Saturday afternoon was heard in the Magistrate's Court yesterday by Mr. T. A. 15- Bailey, S.M., when Archie Fox and Robert Gilbert were charged with using threatening behaviour, cMii with striking the other in a public place. Both man. defended their conduct, Mr. R. H- Qiiilliam representing Gilbert and Mr. A. A. Bennett appearing for Fox, who was not present. Constable Small gave dence as to arresting the two men, ~.u were fighting in Devon street, at about 5.20 in the afternoon on a Saturday, at which time there was a good crowd of people about. Fox> complained that Gilbert had been endeavoring to interfere between him and his wife and had tried to entice. her away from him, and that Gilbert had made allegations as to Fox's misbehaviour at Stratford. At the time of the occurrence Fox seemed very excited and had had a few drinks. Gilbert was perfectly soberThe defendant Gilbert deposed that earlier in the afternoon, as he entered i Imperial Hotel he met Fox coming out and the latter struck witness without any provocation. A little later he followed witness along Devon street, 'and in front of the H.B. shop again j struck hira two blows on the head. Finl ally Fox rushed him out on to the street near Brougham street and witness, in | self-defence, retaliated, and then the police interfered. In reply to Mr. Bennett witness denied ever'having interfered between Fox and his wife. On one occasion he gave Mrt. Fox an envelope addressed to hir.isolf. so that she could communicate with him, as she had told him she might hi able *o give a good tip for tho New Plymouth races. Evidence as to the occurrence in front of the H.B. shop was also given by Reg. Jury, who said Fox "took liU teeth out of his mouth" before he rushc.l Gilbert into the street. Mr. Bennett submitted no evidence, but said there was no doubt Fox had l>p<n provoked by Gilbert. The only nrstake he made was in punishing lim in a public street instead of in some private placeThe Magistrate said he could scarcely believe that Fox would do what he had done without any reason, but if he had been provoked he could not be allowed to do what lie had done in a public place. A fine of £3 (costs 7s) was imposed on Fox, and the information against Gilbert was dismissed.