AN EXPENSIVE SUPPER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3359, 27 October 1911, Page 2

AN EXPENSIVE SUPPER.

£3O DAMAGES.

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning Air AV. A. Barton, S.AL, delivered the following judgment in the case in which Caroline Broadhurst sued George Brown, Henry Charles Stewart, and Thomas Habgood, claiming £75 damages for assault, and demanding food at a late hour from defendant at her house at AVaerenga-a-hika. The Magistrate, after referring' to the evidence, gave judgment as follows: “There is no doubt that they are all three tort feasors, and are rightly joined in one suit. Brown’s conduct was certainly the worst of the three, -but I am unable in my judgment to distinguish between them in assessing tho damages, as it must be a joint judgment-. It is clear to my mind that they all went to the house of plaintiff, with the intention of demanding food, well knowing at the time they had not a shadow or right or excuse for going there; they intimidated her into getting them supper, and on hearing Pilch eland others approaching the house, ran away. It- is true that they were all more or less under the influence of liquor, but that is no excuse whatever for such blackguardly and cowardly conduct as the evidence proves the defendants to have been guilty oft- If that sort of- conduct is to- be allowed to pass without substantial punishment, no woman who has the misfortune to be left alone at night will be safe, and I therefore think that this is a case in which exemplary damages should bo given. Judgment will therefore be for the plaintiff for £3O, and costs £6 165.” All- W. L. Rees appeared for tho plaintiff, and Air L. T. Burnard for the defendants.