PETONE GASWORKS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9545, 25 June 1921, Page 3

PETONE GASWORKS.

■^ INTERFERING WITH WORKERS. FOUR EMPLOYEES FINED. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 23. The Court proceedings instituted against four late employees of the Petone Gasworks created considerable interest at Petone this morning. The men had to answer three charges — (1) With a view to compelling Robert Dick to abstain from doing an act which he had a legal right to do, such act being to follow his employment at the Petone Gasworks, did wrongfully without legal authority, follow Robert Charles Dick from place to place; (2) did steal a lamp and two motor-cycle valves, the property of Dick; (3)' did wrongfully, without legal authority, use violence to Dick. The men charged were : Bruce Ford, Ronald Ferguson, Peter Mullins, and George James. Ferguson, who was m charge of the motor-car used by the pickets, was alleged to have driven the other three men after Dick when he left the works. ' " Senior-Sergeant Bird said Dick resided at Upper Hutt, and used a motor-cycle and side-car. Dick left work at 4 p.m., . and was followed shortly afterwards by a car containing the accused. The car passed Dick travelling at a high speed, when certain remarks were made • at Dick from the ear. The car shortly afterwards pulled up across the road. Dick, to avoid it, took a side road and came out on to the main road some distance further on. He next saw the car pulled across the road opposite the Taita Hotel. Dick then turned back with the intention of reporting the matter to the Hutt police, but the car turned and followed him. On reaching Kihninster's residence, Dick pulled his motor-cycle to the side of the road and went into Kilminster's house. The three accused followed Dick and called him a "scab." Two of them caught hold of him and injured his shoulder. They took out the valves of the motor-cycle tyres and took them away. Robert Charles Dick stated that when the motor-car passed him at the Lower Hutt three of the accused called out, "You dirty rotten scabby ." He heard Ford, Ferguson, and Mullins use the words. On reaching the Taita School the car passed him again, when the same language was addressed to him, with additions. In Kilminster's yard Ferguson and Ford caught him round the back of the neck and continued calling him a "scabby .'.'.ln the scuffle Dick got a blow on the forehead. He did not know who dealt it. Mullins came at him, letting drive several blows, which he managed to miss. Witness then got away into Kilminster's kitchen. Mrs Kilminster, who had seen the affray, rushed out. As he went m Dick locked the door. Mrs Kilniinster went for her husband. Senior-Sergeant 'Bird stated that he had previously explained the law as regards following and obstructing to the s men who were acting as pickets at the gate of the gasworks. One of them gave an assurance that all they were doing was making a personal explanation of their side of the story to an '-one seeking work. The defence was a denial that any language or violence was used; that the intention was to peacefully follow Dick to his home, and there make a quiet explanation of the position from the men's point of view. Each of the accused gave evidence on his own Ivehalf . Mullins stated that he was m. a state, of intoxication and did not remember anything. The other accused Uenied the charges regarding the alleged use of the word "kill" mentioned by one witness. He said they explained to Kilminster what they were there for ; that they were not going to kill the man. Ford, Ferguson, and Mullins were each convicted and fined £10 each on the firat and third charges, the second charge being withdrawn. James was fined £10 on the charge of following, being found' not guilty on the charge of using violence. The charge of theft against James was withdrawn. The accused were given 48 hours m which to find the money, with the alternative of three months' imprisonment. The Magistrate characterised the actions of the accused as most ?cowardly, their whole action being "a rascally, scoundrelly, and disgraceful piece of business." # • Ferguson was also charged with driving a motor-ear at an excessive speed, and was fined 40s and costs.