THE GREASING CASE AT THE UPPER HUTT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1389, 8 September 1885, Page 3

THE GREASING CASE AT THE UPPER HUTT.

At the Wellington Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, before Mr H. S. Warded, R.M., John Cndby, Arthur Richardson, William Brown, and John McCullogh were charged with knocking down and greasing Edward Irvine Wilkie at the Upper Hutt on August 20, Edward Irvine Wilkie, a young man, said he was a baker residing at the Upper Hutt. At about 9 p.m. on the day in question Cndby came to witness’ shop and beckoned him out; and on witness asking him what he wanted, he replied, “Oh, nothing; follow me.” Witness followed him to Cudby’s hotel, and then went into the kitchen with a person named MTntosh. Shortly after this Uudby, Richardson, Brown, and M‘Gullogh entered, closed the door, and formed a mock court, Richardson sitting ou the table, and two of the defendants on each side of him. Witness was asked if he was guilty of haying said something about MTntosh, and he replied that he was not guilty, After a short consultation, one of the iury said, “ Seize him, police,” and be was then laid hold of by : Brown, M'Culloch, and Cndby, and forced on the floor under the table. They then, attempted to take off his clothes, but owing to his vigorous resistance were unable to do so. They then poured the grease oiit of a tin over his coat and trousers. Witness, after a few minutes, managed to escape, and he was hotly pursued by Cudby to his residence. None of the grease touched his skin. In answer to Mr Jellicoe, witness said he would swear (hat he had never said anything about MTntosh regarding a young lady. Richardson was the “Judge,” and his robe consisted of a white towel tied round his neck. MTntosh conducted the prosecution, and informed (he “ Bench ”of the charge. He never heard a suggestion that he should be lei of! with a nominal penalty by “shouting” drinks all round. The person he first struggled with was Cndby. He never rolled with MTntosh into the’grease pan. He told Cudby that he would not lay an information if an apology was published in the newspapers. As the defendants would not agree to this he took the present proceedings. This was all the evidence for the prosecution. Arthur Richardson, deposed be was a butcher at fhe Upper Hutt. On the night in question he was at Cudby’s Provincial Hotel. MTntosh was there also, and said that he wanted to speak to complainant, and suggested that he should be sent for. Cudby went out and returned with Wilkie. They stopped talking in the passage for some time, till some one suggested that Wilkie should be put upon his trial to ascertain whether he was guilty or not. All except Cudby then went into the kitchen. Witness was elected judge, his robe consisting of the kitchen towel. One of the other defendants then endeavored to address the court, but broke down, and they started laughing at each other, one of them saying that Wilkie should be discharged on the condition that he stood drinks all round. This idea not appearing palatable to the complainant, the latter rushed for the door, where he was intercepted by MTntosh, who struggled with him, both of them falling to the floor, where they rolled about till they came into collision with the tin of grease, which they upset, a quantity of the contents being spilled over the combatants, During this time witness kept his seat on the “ bench,” but was powerless to maintain order. Wilkie seemed to enjoy the fun as much as any of them. The noise was so great the defendant Cudby came to the door and asked what it was all about. The complainant then departed, but witness did not see Cudby follow him. Cudby did not lay his hands on Wilkie,,or the grease, at any part of the time.

This evidence was mainly corroborated by Alexander M‘lntosh, William Brown, and John M'Culloch.

The charges against the defendants were dismissed, as also was the case against Charles Cndby for permitting riotous conduct in his licensed house.