A STRIKE INCIDENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 16, 19 January 1914, Page 7

A STRIKE INCIDENT.

WITH A POLICE COURT SEQUEL. The attention of Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., was occupied at the Police Court this afternoon in hearing a charge of insulting language brought against Richard James Schofieldj The case arose out of an incident connected with the recrnt strike, when Schoiield was alleged to have used the words, "'You are a lot of scabs!" wiiea addressing a number of Council employees. Mr. M. D. MaJioney (representing Air. Hall Skelton) appeared for defendant. Oeorge AHcn was the first witness called. He stated that on November 19 he was employed on a City Council job in Gundry Street. A strike picket arrived on the scene, totalling about 60 men. Schofield was amongst them, and 'began to-address the men at work. Schofield asked witness to knock off work. Witness refused. A -man who wae with Scho-fi-eld then stepped out and struck witness behind the ear, knocking him down. Schofield then used the language complained of, and obscene' language besides. SehofieW appeared to be the leader. In fact, in witness - words, he wae "lik< an eight-day alarm clock, wound up never to stop." The picket only departed irhen the special police arrived. In reply to Mr. Ma-honey, witness eaid that when struck he fell -backwards into the trench he was digging, with Jiis assailant on top of him. He -was not prevented from hearing what Schofiald eaid. The case is proceeding.