TERRITORIALS DISAGREE.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 March 1922, Page 6

TERRITORIALS DISAGREE.

SERGEANT VERSUS PRIVATE. FIGHT AFTER PARADE. An incident after a Territorial parade at the Coronation Hall on October 5 had its sequel in the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court yesterday in a charge against Ronald Land of assaulting Kuy Hopkins by striking him in the face with his fist. On behalf of defendant, Mr. C. H. Croker entered a plea of not .guilty. Detective-Sergeant Cooney appeared for the prosecution. The facts stated by the police were that Roy Hopkins is a sergeant of the Territorials. After the parade on October 5, when he was leaving the hall he was met outside by Land, who struck him in the face an<i knocked him down. Hopkins regained his feet and was immediately struck down again. He had his overcoat and accoutrements on at the time, but got these off apd the two had a fight. Land got a hold of Hopkins with his right arm round complainant’s throat and punched him in the face with his left hand. After the occurrence Land cleared away from New Plymouth, and the police could get no trace of him. He eventually returned to New Plymouth about Christmas time. Complainant’s, evidence as to the incident was on the lines of the police statement. He said he had not given Land any provocation, and there was no feeling between them except that during the evening he had reported Land for going off parade and having a smoke. Tn reply to Mr. Croker, he denied that Land had told him during the parade he would “take him on” after. He admitted that after he was struck he invited Land to fight. It was not a fact that if he had “cleaned up” Land nothing more would have been heard of the affair. Neither had Land beaten him. He was not constantly fighting with other Territorials. Evidence was given by Dunford. Walter T. Scott and B. R. Blackhall. The defence, Mr. Croker said, was one of technically not guilty. Land undoubtedly did commit an’ assault on the sergeant, but counsel thought the whole thing was making a mountain out of a molehill. It was a case of a young fellow clothed in a little brief authority making nis presence felt very much. It was “merely a scrap,” counsel said. After the affair Land did not run away from town; he went to the Wairarapa to get work at shearing. Land, in evidence, said that when the parade was standing easy a number of Territorials went into a side room to have a smoke. Hopkins came in and ordered them out. Witness remained behind, and Hopkins informed Lieutenant Andrews, who came and dragged witness by the scruff of the neck and also “put the boot in.” His Worship: You don’t expect me to believe that?

Continuing his evidence, Land said he had some talk with Hopkins over this later during the parade, and Hopkins said they would have it out afterwards. “Outside.” said defendant, ‘T shaped up and said ‘We’ll have it now,’ and hit him.”

His Worship regarded this as sufficient evidence. In reviewing the case, he said he did not believe the evidence of Land when he said that Lieutenant Andrews pulled him out of the side room and put the boot in. “I am asked to believe quite a lot of things in the course of my duties,” His Worship continued. Some go down and others don’t, and this is one of those that do not.” He did not regard the offence es trivial, in fact it was unmanly to strike a man just when he was stepping out of ?. hall. Defendant would be fined £3 and costa, in default 14 days’ imprisonment. Costs amounted to: Witnesses’ expenses £1 4«. and court fees. . An application was made for time in which to pay. His Worship allowed defendant three days in which to meet the fine.