"DUMP HIM IN THE SEA."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 39, 15 February 1929, Page 8

"DUMP HIM IN THE SEA."

EXCITEMENT AT ST HELIERS.

DEMONSTRATION AGAINST CONSTABLE.

EIGHT PEOPLE PROSECUTED.

STORY OF HIGH REVELRY.

Beautiful music played by bagpipes ftnd Scottish melody in the form of "A Wee Deoch and Doris" and "Auld Lang Syne" had no charms for Constable Collins at St. Helier's Bay on New Year's Eve, perhaps for the reason that in addition to being the central figure in an animated ring formed by hilarious persons, some called him impolite names, while others wanted to throw him into the sea. The story of revelry and excitement on the waterfront at St. Helier's, and how some of the Scots residents celebrated hogmanay was told at the Police

Court this morning, when eight residents

appeared on summons, charged with disorderly behaviour and with inciting to assault. The defendants were James Stubbs, W. H. Brown, J. Thompson, L. W. O. Glogoski, Alexander Black, John Black, James Harper and Alfred McLeish. Mr. Lovegrove appeared for the defendants,

.who pleaded not guilty.

Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M. was on the Bench, and Sub-Inspector McCarthy prosecuted. Mr. McCarthy said that the incident

occurred late on the night of December

81 last, and concluded at about 2 a.m. on New Year's Day. The constable -was on duty, and was necessarily on his own at St. Helier's Bay. "Constable Collins showed great forbearance—he did nothing to cause a disturbance or demonstration which might easily have had •serious consequences,'* added the subinspector. Constable Collins was the first witness. Hβ said he was outside. Black's tobacconist's shop about 1.10 a.m., and saw a number of men there. They entered a motor car and drove off, but they had only gone a few yards when the car struck an electric light pole, and was disabled. Had it not been for the pole the car would have plunged into the sea. Witness went over to the car and asked the driver to get out. Brown said he was the driver and produced his license, although witness was eure that another man had driven the car. The others left the car, one man commencing to play the bagpipes. "I asked him to desist, as people in the vicinity wanted to get to sleep," said Constallo Collins. "Well, the piper stopped, but Alexander Black then eaid, •You can't stop him playing.' Black advised the piper to continue. Black then eaid, 'Collins, you're a ■ mongrel. Let's dump him in the harbour. You had a fall at Pakuranga, and you'll get another." . Witness added that others commenced to boo and hiss him. Just then a big crowd, which had arrived from Auckland in motor buses, came along, and

witness realised that he was in danger,

bo he crossed over to the other side of the road away from the sea. The piper followed him across, as did also a man dressed in kilts, and all started to count him out. For some time the hissing and booing went on. A big crowd marched around him. The demonstration continned till nearly 3 a.m., when the crowd from the town, about 200 persons, left for the city. "I wag jolly glad the big crowd went, for although they were merely amused and watched the others, they might have given trouble," said witness. Constable Collins said he had only been

stationed at St. Helier's Bay since November and he knew that someone had spread a rumour about him. "The •whole thing developed on New Year's Eve when the beer and whisky was in them," he added. "I also was informed that someone was going to tear my fences down that night. The whole thing was not a joke by any means. They were all serious. The men in the car were all drunk and I only interfered when I saw that the motor car had .collided with a pole." Mr. Lovegrove: You were looking for trouble that night?— No. Are you sure McLeish was there!— jTes. '

You stopped four young fellows who gpere playing trumpets in the streets Jfct 8 o'clock on New Year's Eve?—l told them that they looked ridiculous with paper hats on. English, and Proud of It. On New Year'e Eve it was a gather. frag of the Sootsmen at St. Helier's Bay? *— I don't know. You are not Scotch yourself, I supfoseT —fProudly) No, English and proud pt it, too. (Laughter.) You have no ear for Scotch music?— Not when it's played after one o'clock In the morning. Someone said, "Don't take any notice of walrus," (the constable has a fully grown moustache). It was that which made you annoyed?— No. I never heard •nyone say that, and, anyway, I don't know what it means. (Laughter.) Did not someone call out, "Good old walrus. Three cheers for walrus ?"—No.

Your wife called out to you, "Oh, daddy, they are calling you walrus. Go and arrest them?" —No, she has never called me daddy in her life. (Laughter).

You are a. worried man—your nerves fcave been had since the Elsie Walker ease?— No, my nerves are all right and I'm not worrying over the case.

The next witness, a young man, at flret appeared to know little of the incident, until Sub-Inspector McCarthy treated him as a hostile witness and asked him if a statement which he made and signed was true or not. The -witness admitted that what he said in the statement was true. He heard remarks made by some of the defendants to the constable.

Another young man said Constable Collins wan wise in not interfering with the large crowd. Had he done so, wit-> ness was sure there would have been trouble.

"It was not the crowd from Auckland, tut the St. Helier's people who were annoying the constable," said another witness. The constable gave no provocation to warrant the demonstration that waa made against him. This witness alleged that Black, Harper and Brown were all drunk. McLeish, he eaid. took no active part in the disturbance. Stubbs was playing the bagpipes—, i J e> 5

ini^S 1 * 1 '" Baid Mr< Lovegrove, "I can't e £ Cockne y P l !** , * tne interßpOeed **? Who was Pi*?'"* ■■-■ gsffiflMww. it

Year's Eve. "Out of a crowd of 200 only four witnesses had been called," said counsel.

Mr. McKean: There is certainly somefnug against some of the defendants, but there is very little against two of then\ Mr. Lovegrove added that the piper was only doing what any Scotsman would do on New Year's Eve —playing his pipes. The eight defendants had done no more than any other person in the crowd that night. A party had been held at Black's house. Some of those present afterwards decided to go to another house and they entered the motor car. A puncture caused the car to swerve across the road and strike the post. Counsel said that the defendants would admit calling Constable Collins by the name of "Walrus" and also hissing and booing him. However, they would deny calling him a mongrel.

The first of a number of witnesses wag then called by counsel.

(Proceeding.)