C.O.R.S.O. MEETING INTERRUPTED

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28890, 9 May 1959, Page 17

C.O.R.S.O. MEETING INTERRUPTED

Speaker Struck By Stone (New Zealand Press Association) GISBORNE, May 8. A meeting in the Gisborne City Council Chambers was interrupted when a visiting speaker was stunned by a 21b stone thrown through a window. The speaker was Mr Alan Mister, of Wellington, who was addressing a public meeting convened by the Mayor (Mr H. H. Barker) to discuss district assistance in the C.0.R.5.0. world refugee year project. Mr Mister is the area organiser for C.0.R.5.0. Mr Barker, who presided at the meeting, narrowly missed being struck, and was showered by broken glass. Mr Mister’s condition this morning was such that he was still in bed at a private home in Gisborne in which he is a guest. The council chamber was almost full. Men in the audience, led by Constable O. J. Elliott, searched the area.

Later it was reported that a person had been seen running over the William Pettie bridge about 100 yards from the council building. The first quick search was without success and the Gisborne Police Station was advised. Policemen were immediately on the scene and a further search was organised.

The stone penetrated a window an eighth of an inch thick well above ground level and travelled 15ft before striking Mr Mister. The action was described this morning by Mr Barker as a senseless piece of hooliganism. He said that it would have been impossible for the thrower to take aim at any person within the chamber, because of the height of the window above the ground.