CONSTABLE RESISTED

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 9 March 1935, Page 4

CONSTABLE RESISTED

Relief Worker Drunk and Disorderly in High Street BOND TO KEEP THE PEACE REPRIMAND FROM BENCH Yesterday was a busy day for Hugh Rodgers, of Hawera, a tailor by trade, but now a relief worker. In the first place he had to attend the Hawera Courthouse to show cause why a prohibition order should not be taken out against him. As the result of his subsequent actions, he found himself in the Hawera lock-up last night, faced with two eharges —one of disorderly behaviour while drunk, and the other of resisting arrest. In the Hawera Courthouse this morning he was convicted and discharged on both counts on the condition that ho consented to keep the peace. Messrs. G. H. Buekcridgo and S. Blake, J.-'sJ?., were on the bench.

When the prohibition order was made against him yesterday Rodgers left "'the court claiming that he had not been accorded justice. Protesting this at the rear of the courtroom he was asked to leave by Sergeant J. Henry. The approach of the Sergeant was the signal for a fresh outburst on the part- of Rodgers, who demanded, in a loud voice, “Now what do you want, Sergeant?” Very soon Rodgers found himself in the porch. No words of the magistrate could have cleared the court in a quicker manner, and the porch was soon thronged "with wouldbe spectators. No arrest eventuated, however, in spite of Rodgers’ vehement requests for the police to do so. Rodgers had his ambition realised early in the evening. The story was told in the Hawera Courthouse this morning.

When the first charge of being disorderly was read to him Rodgers hesitated for a moment or two before he pleaded, but eventually said, “ Perhaps I’d better plead guilty.” He also pleaded guilty to the second charge. STRUGGLE WITH CONSTABLE. “Constable Donovan was on duty in High Street at about 7.15 last night,” said Sergeant Henry. Defendant had approached him in a disorderly manner and asked him if he was one of the police who had opposed him in the court in the afternoon. The constable walked away, but Rodgers followed him and argued persistently. Rodgers said ‘lf you don’t lock me up I will break a window.’ lie had also used bad language. The constable had asked him to desist as there w T ere ladies about. “He then struck- 'the constable in the chest,” said Sergeant Henry. “The struggle lasted for some five minutes and attracted a good .crowd of spectators. ’ ’

Sergeant Henry explained that the constable had repeatedly advised Rodgers to go home to his wife and children. Apparently, however, he had set out with the full intention of creating as many scenes as possible.

“He is an old resident of Hawera, but he has caused considerable trouble through drink,” said the sergeant before reading a formidable list of previous convictions. “He still carries a fair amount of respect in the town, but he must be checked.” He was most violent’ when taken to the lock-up, said the Sergeant. Law and order had to be preserved. Referring to the incident in the court in the afternoon, Sergeant Henry said that defendant had had a little liquor, but he was sober.

Questioned by Mr Buckeridge, Rodgers said that the Sergeant had exaggerated. He had struck no blow. Mr Buckeridge: Look here Rodgers you used to be a good citizen. Defendant: I still am.

Mr Buckeridge: These are not trumped up charges. Han’t you pull yourself together 1 Rodgers replied that h'e could if he was “left alone.”

“You probably can’t see my aspect of the matter,” said. Rodgers. “I cull it persecution.” After a reprimand from the bench, defendant was convicted and discharged. “Don’t he a fool again,” said Mr Buckeridge in advising Rodgers to sign a bond that he was prepared to keep the peace.