TROUBLE AT WAIKERIA.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18150, 13 August 1924, Page 10

TROUBLE AT WAIKERIA.

INCITING TO MUTINY AMONG PRISONERS. (pBESS ASSOCIATION TBLEGBAM.) TE AWAMUTU, August 12. Arising out of the sentence imposed "last week upon an inmate of the Waikeria Reformatory for -assaulting an officer, another inmate, Patrick Collins, was brought before Justices to-day and charged with inciting the other inmates to mutiny.

He pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given by three of the inmates and the chief warder that Collins on July 27th urged an inmate, Jensen, to smoke and if repnmanded to strike the officer, adding: "We will look after you." Next day Jensen assaulted the officer «uid Collins kept out of the way. , In the Court this morning Collins declared that the evidence was an utter fabrication. He admitted that he had jokingly suggested the smoking, but he personally did not smoke. Jensen smoked and was reprimanded. He did not intend Jensen, or the other inmates present, to take the remark seriously. Officials stated that they regarded Collins as a'disturbing element and a professional agitator. Collins, when furtTier questioned by Constable Dyie, denied having provoked or incited any of the inmates to commit breaches of discipline. The Bench imposed a sentence of "fourteen days on bread and water.