SETTLERS FINED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 164, 13 July 1928, Page 9

SETTLERS FINED.

FOR OBSTRUGTING POLICE.

FIGHT WITH A CONSTABLE.

DRUNKENNESS CHARGE FAILS

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

PAHIATUA, this day.

The reserved judgment of Mr. S. L. P. Free, S.M., in a case arising out of a disturbance in Pongaroa township was delivered to-dav.

The case created much interest, and at the hearing the court-room was packed with people, most of whom had travelled more than 40 miles.

Michael Francis Dillon was charged with having been intoxicated when in charge of a car, and with having resisted and assaulted the police. Henry Dillon was charged with having assaulted and obstructed the police, William A. Reid, with having encouraged a person to obstruct the police, and Frederick Wright with having obstructed the police.

On the night of June 9,. Constable -John Mcintosh stopped a car driven by Michael Dillon, and endeavoured to.

arrest him. He resisted, and Henry Dil lon and \\ right came to his aid, witl: the result that eventually he escaped.

Nineteen witnesses were called by th» defence to say that Michael Dillon was sober. The other defendants declared that they interfered only because the constable had Dillon by the throat in a drain, and was choking him.

The magistrate fined Michael Dillon £3 for resisting the police, Henry Dillon £2 for assaulting the constable, and Reid and \\ right £1 each for obstructing him. Defendants were also ordered to pay costs.

The charge against M. F. Dillon of having been intoxicated was dismissed, I the magistrate considering he was entitled to the benefit of the doubt.

Mr. Free said that just prior to the arrest the constable obtained the opinion of a prominent settler, who is a justice of the peace, and was standing near, and he said he did not think defendant was in a fit state to drive a ear. He (the magistrate) was satisfied the constable honestly believed defendant was intoxicated, and had reasonable grounds for so doing. It was admitted that Dillon had had some drink late in the afternoon.