ALLEGED "RAGGING."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8550, 8 October 1907, Page 5

ALLEGED "RAGGING."

RAILWAY CLEANERS BEFORE: THE COURT. By Telegraph —Press AssociationTIMARU, October?. At the Magistrate's Court, to-day,. a charge of common assault is being heard against six cleaners, who it is alleged assaulted a new cleaner named Arthur Bray, in the Timaru engine sheds. Sub-Inspector Green said the Railwy Department looked upon such conduct as very serious, and pressed for a substantial penalty. Sub-Inspec-tor Green said that the assault waswhat was termed "ragging." The victim was first thrown down and gagged with a piece of dirty waste. His clothes were opened, and oil poured over him, and his face smeared with soot and grease. Mr Elmslie, who appeared for the accused, denied any such assault as that described by the police. LATER. The accused, one after another, denied having assaulted Bray in the manner he described. It was admitted that one of them picked up an. oil-can and unscrewed . the cap in order to "oil his vocal organs," because he would not sing, but beforethey had gone any fuither Bray attacked them and the oil was spilt, over him in the scuffle, the oil carh Deing knocked out of the youth's hand. They denied the undoing of Bray's clothes and using waste tO' gag him with. The Magistrate said an assault had undoubtedly been committed, and the question was of what nature. Bray's-statement that indecency was added was scarcely borne out, and he was not convinced that it happened, or it would have made the case very serious indeed. He found all defendants guilty of assault, and, taking into account their small wages, decided that a fine of 40s each would be a substantial penalty, and this was imposed, with costs (divided) 395.