CHRISTCHURCH RIOT

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 30, 4 August 1931, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH RIOT

COURT PROCEEDINGS

DISPLAY OF BATONS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association*)" CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.-. The Magistrate, Mr. E. D. Hosier, after hearing evidence to-day^ dismissed charges of behaviour and insulting language against George Christopher Harris, as a result of Saturday's disturbances. Three other cases remanded from yesterday are proceeding. The police said ih at 'Harris had bee* "booing" and bad called out "conia on." He also called a sergeant a — mongrel. Counsel for the defence said that Barris went to the railway station only out of curiosity, and had not caused disorder. The Magistrate gave Harris lh« benefit of the doubt. In the other cases, Sergeant Hyland said ho was rushed by M'Kcgncy.JVhile both were on the ground witness was kicked by another man. There was no doubt that M'Keguey was fighting with Sergeant Leckie. Witness, in reply to counsel, said he only drew his baton when he was kicked on the ground. He denied that the police were "seoing red," and said the arrests were justii fled, as the situation was ugly. Sergeant Leckie said that Riley had a baton a foot long in his hand. Ho saw other men attacking Constable Phillips, who was on the ground. Eiley and Dodge were arrested at Hereford street. Dodge then lay down and used i his feet and fists freely. Answering a question by counsel as to whether he drew his bat6n before 1 any disorder occurred, witness exclaimed "It's a lie." He considered that tho trouble was started by concerted action of the. Communists. Speaking on behalf of Riley, M'Kegnpy, and Dodge, counsel (Mr. Hunter) said that nothing was done until the police ill tacked them with batons. The police, he said, precipitated the trouble by drawing Iheir batons, "which was a sight that inflamed a British ixovyL,?* -"" "'