Fan or Mischief?

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 425, 6 March 1890, Page 2

Fan or Mischief?

At the R.M. Court yesterday morning (before Messrs Bennett and Lucas, J.P’s.) John Weston was charged, on the information of Susan DeCoata, with behaving in a disorderly manner, and refusing to leave the Turenganui Hotel when requested to do so. The plain, tiff was represented by Mr Sievwright, and the defendant (who pleaded not guilty) by Mr Rees. The evidence given was someißiat contradiotory, Mrs DeOoeta alleging that defendant had been ueing bad and abusive language, and had struck a customer, the name of whom Mre DeCosta, after some hesitation, gave as Mr Airey, and who had just then called in to see a friend. Among other things he called Airey a b toff, and said he would have to black his own boots some day. Tbe defendant was requested to leave, but instead of doing so behaved himself in a disorderly manner, demanding to be served with more drink, and absolutely refusing to leave until he heard the police were coming. The defendant lives near the house, and had always been a nuisance. Mrs DeOosta's evidence was corroborated by her son, and bv the young lady who serves in the bar, both of whom were present. The tale told by defendant and hie witness (Too* Canning) was somewhat different. He (defendant) was quite sober, and had used no bad language whatever, but was drinking with Canning at the side bar when Airey end hi* friend came in. All four were standing st the bar, when the conversation turned on boxing, and Airey said he could not box, but he knew * little about single stioke. and thereupon med* some passes. Defendant warded one of thee* with bin hand, and gave Airey a slight push, which had the effect of throwing him down. Mrs DeOosta then name out. and in * great rage ordered Weston off the premise*. Canning told him to come out, end they went, and corning into the front bar, Weston offered to explain njatters, but the landlady would not listen to any explanation. Airet end his friend osmo round, end the letter asked them to have a drink, but she would not serve Weston. The whole affair with regard to knocking down Airey wee done In fun, and no one took any reel maaning out of it—in fact they all (Airey included) treated it as a joke. Shortly afterwards Oonetebl* Brooking appeared on the acene, and refuted to take defendant into custody, because he was not drunk, and advised Mrs ReCoeta if she had any complaint to make, to lay an Information. After oouneel had addressed the Bench, the latter commented strongly on the feet that Airey, or hie friend, had not been produced as * witness by plaintiff, end dismissed the oat*. No ooitl were tpplisd for.