LIVELY SCENES

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1932, Page 6

LIVELY SCENES

“RED RIOTERS DISCHARGED

CROWDS! CLASH WITH POLICE.

United Press Association—By Eleotri Telegraph—Copyright. 1

(Received this day at 1.30 p.ml LONDO, January 18.

There were exciting scenes outside the. Glasgow Sheriff’s Court during the trial, for/alleged rioting of McGovern and Harry McKhane, prominent Glasgow Communists, and eleven others, as a sequel to the disturbance on January 10th. A Plain-clothes Constable,, in evidence, said that, while lie was mingling with the crowd, a mail whispered to him: “Be sure and bring a stick to-night.” He passed on the instruction 1 which came from somewhere near the platform. McGovern: “So you encouraged them to bring sticks.” The Constable replied that J»e thought if he did not repeat the instruction it would reveal bis identity. He added that be did not hear speakers urging the demonstrators to bring sticks.

The Court decided that the charges against McGovern and Me Shane were not proved, whereupon they were discharged, and the others adjourned. Meanwhile, a huge crowd outside, carrying banners and sticks, shouted and sang until sometimes it was impossible to hear the witnesses. As a. result of this, twelve mounteds and forty foot police hurried to the scene and repeatedly charged the chowd. (Superintendent S'weeney, who had been giving evidence, rushed out to take command and was attacked. He had to use his stick to ward off the blows. The crowd, including women, endeavoured to unhorse the mounteds. The news of McGovern’s discharge caused a renewed rush towards the Court, and further charges by the police followed. Three arrests were made.