HOSTILE CROWD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20141, 10 January 1940, Page 5

HOSTILE CROWD

AUCKLAND INCIDENTS PACIFIST SPEAKERS TWO MEN BEFORE COURT FINES FOR OBSTRUCTION Incidents which took place after the centennial thanksgiving service in the Domain on Sunday afternoon were described in the Auckland Police Court before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M.. on Monday, when two men appeared on charges ol' obstructing the police in the lawful execution of their duty. It was stated that the men, who came from Wellington. had been addressing meetings in the North Island on behalf of Iho Christian Pacifist Society. The accused were Halford Graham L.yttle, aged ,10, an electrician, who was charged with obstructing Sergeant Corston, and Archibald Charles Barrington, aged 34. a clerk, charged with obstructing Constable Mackrell. Both pleaded not guilty and conducted their own cases, which were heard separately. Attitude of Crowd Sergeant J. R. Corston said that shortly after the Governor-General’s motor car had left the Domain, he saw a crowd of about 250 people surrounding two men. He walked toward them, and as he did so heard cries of “Take them away, they are friends of Hitler.” The accused Lyltlc told him he was going to address the people, but when lie asked the crowd if they wanted to hear him the answer was no. There was every evidence of an ugly situation developing, for the crowd was hostile. Accused refused to leave when asked to do so. In response to a question from Lyttle as to evidence of hostility among the crowd. Sergeant Corston said that a woman had rushed at the speaker, Barrington, with her umbrella raised. Constable Mackrell said that, when lie spoke to the accused Lyttle, the latter claimed the right to address the crowd. He heard Sergeant Corston several times tell needed to leave. Magistrate Intervenes After Lyttle had asked witness a number of questions from the dock, the magistrate intervened. “You are asking a lot of questions,” he said. "They have no real bearing on the matter. I do not know what your views are on peace, or war, and I am not interested in them.” Detective-Sergeant Trethewey described seeing two uniformed police talking to the two accused in the middle of a crowd of over 200 people Lyttle twice refused to leave the ground, and witness heard a woman say: “Fancy going to the trenches to iight for fellows like that.” In evidence, Lyttle denied that he had intended to" address the crowd or that he had refused to leave. He did not think the sergeant had the right to act in that' way. Accuser: was then questioned by Sub-Inspector Pender, who prosecuted, about certain meetings in Wellington, Stratford, Wanganui, and Hamilton. Incidents at Stratford Sub-Inspector ,Pendc-r: The police had to save you from the crowd at Stratford! Accused: Owing to the connivance of the police and returned soldiers, we. were put out of town. We were not being chased by the crowd there, but were only being hustled along the street. Questioned regarding meetings in Wellington and at Hamilton, accused raid ho had been addressing meetings for the last 18 months. The ease against the second accused v ns then called. Constable Mackrell said Barrington was speaking from a box, and refused on several occasions to stop. Witness told Barrington that if the crowd was aroused he could not protect him, as he was alone at that time. Accused replied that he could look after himself. Sergeant Corston said the attitude of the crowd was distinctly hostile. There was a danger that lighting might start. Contention by Accused Barrington said he was a member of the Christian Pacifist Society, for whom he had been working in a voluntary capacity during the last 18 months. He suggested that the police had acted hastily and without due inquiry into the affair. “The charges are perfectly simple,” said the magistrate. “These men apparently had been addressing a meeting. What was said was not heard by the police, so that it was obvious what took place did not take place because of anything the police heard. Their duty is to maintain order in a public place.” Lyttle was fined £l, and Barrington. who admitted having been convicted at Wanganui for obstructing the police, £2.