WAGES DISPUTE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 43, 21 February 1939, Page 5

WAGES DISPUTE

EMPLOYER ASSAULTED CARETAKER FINED For assaulting his former employer, Alexander Mason, at Castlecliff on February 10, David Adamson Brown, former caretaker at Castlecliff golf links, was fined £2, with costs 3s, by Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., in the Wanganui Magistrate's Court yesterday. Sergeant R. J. E. Whiting, who conducted the case for the police, stated that Brown had been in the employ of Mason as a caretaker o£ the golf links, Mason being a commercial traveller. On February 10 Brown went to see Mason about some money alleged to be owing. An argument took place and Brown caught Mason by the coat and assaulted him and blackened an eye. Mason had to receive medical attention. Mr. V. B. Willis, who appeared for Brown, stated that Brown surrendered voluntarily to the police. Unfortunately he had adopted the wrong attitude in an attempt to enforce his civil rights. He had been employed by Mason at a small wage on the golf links, and this was increased when he became caretaker. An arrangement was made with his employer to take his wages out of the receipts from golf fees, but Brown had stated that Mason had owed him more money than he actually received from fees. Brown went to Mason's residence to ask for the money. An argument took place on the point and was followed by further argument on the road. Mason moved away and Brown caught him by the coat. Counsel alleged that there was an attack on both sides and that Brown had been grabbed by the throat and that his neck was scratched and that he also had been punched some. Both men went to the police immediately and lodged a complaint. The magistrate ordered lhat half the costs, 3s, be paid to Mason.