A BRAWL BY NIGHT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3345, 11 October 1911, Page 6

A BRAWL BY NIGHT.

THE STORY OF A RECENT DISTURBANCE“DISGRACEFUL” COMMENTS! THE MAGISTRATE. As an echo of a recent Saturday night disturbance three young men, namely Michael Pilmey, George McLean, ■ and! William Smith, appeared before Mr. W. A. Barton, S.M., yesterday charged with having behaved in such a manner as to occasion a breach of the peace. Mr Barnard appeared for the two last named, and Mi" Bright for the defendant Pilmey. , Christopher McGrath deposed that on the night of 16tli ult. lie was passing the corner of Gladstone Road and Roebuck Road. He saw a crowd on the Roebuck Road crossing, among whom were the three defendants. Witness saw Pilmey leaving on his bicycle. Smith stimck Pilmey and knocked, him down. More tlicin on© blow was dolivered by Smith, but witness could not say how many. Pilmey then got up and struck McLean, but said “I have struck the wrong man.” McLean then struck Pilmey. All three defendants 1 were striking blows, but at different times. So far as witness could 1 make out all tlie men were sober. After the fighting was over Pilmey was bleeding from the eye. To All* Bright: Witness was a companion of Pilmey. McLean did nothing until Pilmey struck him, and then lie struck back. Jolm Maearran, laborer, of Gisborne, stated that he was with the witness McGrath. After the. first blow ivas struck there was a rough and tumble on the road. Pilmey was underneath and when witness came up with them lie was saying, “Let me up and I’ll fight you fair.” After the fight witness took the defendant Pilmey. He did. not- knoiv if a doctor was called to attend to him. To Air Bright: He was not a particular friend of Pilmey. William Henry Alexander, butcher, gave evidence that be had' arrived after the fight. He had heard McLean say that he would fight any man in Gisborne. AlcLean had his ccat off at that time. Constable Aloore stated that lie had interviewed the three defendants on the morning of the 17th. Smith made a statement to the effect that he had seen three men standing on the corner of Gladstone Road when coming home on the previous night. Smith said “Good night,” but one of the men insulted him. He turned round and said: “What is that you said?” Just as he did! so a bottle was thrown at him, which missed him. He rushed at the man who threw the bottle. It was Pilmey. They fought together for some time until one o,f the other two men pulled him off. On getting up Pilmey rushed at AlcLean, aylio struck him two blows, the latter of which knocked Pilmey out. This statement was corroborated later by AlcLean. Witness afterwards saw, Pilmey, who said he knew nothing about it. He was all bandaged up, tlie doctor having attended him. He had a cut over the left eye an inch and a half long, and a quarter of an inch deep. To Air Burnard: He knew nothing against tlie character of the three defendants. William- Smith, one of the defendants, stated that he was going home with AlcLean on the night of the 16th. As he passed the Roebuck Road corner lie saw three men, one of whom was Pilmey. Witness said “Good night,” bu !V Pilmey swore at him. A bottle was then thrown and a fight followed George AlcLean, one of the defendants, gave corroborative evidence, stating that lie had three drinks on the night in question. He came from Napier. Sergeant Hutton: Were you not in a difficulty there?

Witness: Yes, a ease of assault. His Worship remarked that there was no doubt that the affair was just a disgraceful drunken fight. Each of the defendants would be fined £3 and 6s costs, in default seven days’ imprisonment.