JUDGE JOHNSTON AND THE RIOTERS.

Evening Post, Volume XIX, Issue 14, 17 January 1880, Page 1 (Supplement)

JUDGE JOHNSTON AND THE RIOTERS.

In summing up to the jury in the recent riot cases at Christohurch, Mr. Justice Johnston said that Roman Cath'olios and Orangemen were equally entitled to walk in procession,- but it was a question for consideration How far it was desirable for them to do bo when evil passions might be aroused. He joined with the learned counsel in expressing a hope that these occurrences would bo productive of future good results. He was glad to know that the co-religionists of the accused had expressed no sympathy with the riotous conduct. It was well known that the very qualities which made Irishmen the noblest and bravest of soldiers, too frequently caused them to take part in a row. Of course the people of .other nations had faults and failings, these were not confined to Irishmen. He hoped the time was not "far distant when all men would repudiate the idea of keeping up class v differences, whether such differences, were, caused^by religious, political, or social distinctions. It was perhaps too much to expect that these Colonies would enjoy a •complete freedom" from such disturbingcauses, but he hoped soon to see something like a consistent publio f eeling, which would help'to carry out the beat objects to be attained by civilised society. He believed that a perpetuation of such struggles as this would be a serious obstacle to the advancement" bftnese Colonies." 'Hewould say that" these men might feel assured that neither the law nor the, administrators of the -law, nor^ny olasajfcney mi^ht; consider, to be opposed to them, would ''ever use means to ¦..ciroumsoribe their liberty ocvto>- interfere, with' their social and'_material, progress." Such class distinctions were the worst enemies possible' to the ' advancement of the % Colony. He wished it to be clearly underJstpod tirat all would get justice, unaffected bjCwejudice. That was one lesson which he -hoped the proceedings now taken would! AiterttHe'lSiSoltera.had been found guilty, Ws-Hondr^&rpaiisltoff sentence, said that if the accused hwiplieaded guilty he should have taken that as ,an\indication of their submission to the law of thejand, and should have passed a sentence of muck less severity than their guilt deserved. ~ Commenting on , the serious nature of the offence, he said .that if death had resulted from the promiscuous use 'of their weapons,- they would 'have 1 been tried for murder. As it was,~the-evidence against them would have been amply sufficient to justify a prosecution for malicious wounding, with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and they would each of them have been liable to be sentenced to a long period of penal servitude. As they had not submitted themselves, he must make the sentence exemplary. He could not help it if some portion of the public,' especially those who had prejudices which he had not, thought he was treating them with top, great leniency. He then sentenced Hanley, M'Avery, Cuddihy, and Barrett to 18 months', and the rest to 12 months' imprisonment with hard labor.