WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10219, 13 December 1893, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

SHOP ASSISTANTS’ DEMONSTRATION lyjSß PriTifiS WELLINGTON, Dec. 12. The Magistrate’s Court waa occupied the ■whole afternoon hearing charges arising out of the demonstration made by shop assistants outside of Mr Carter’s drapery shop, Willis street. Carter refusing to observe a half holiday. The first charges investigated were against three youths, about eighteen or nineteen years of age, as follows:—Edward Charles Turner, assaulting Police - Sergeant - Major Eamsay; William Henry Money, using language likely to lead to a breach of the peace j Charles Lambert, throwing a missile. Evidence was given that a crowd of about six hundred assembled outside Carter's, owing to his refusing to close, and of the accused having committed the offences mentioned. For the defence it was alleged that Money’s conduct was of a boyish nature, and that it’ was absurd to rai-e his behaviour to the dignity of a r-erious offence. As to Lambert, he was given a roll of dodgers to throw into the shop, and as he could net do ro he pimply threw them towards a friend. For Turner is was contended that he was pushed on to the Sergeant-Major, and tbas his striking him was unintentional. Judgment was reserved until tbe other cases were heard. Charges of inciting preferred against Maguira, Watson, Steele, Hooper, and Jackson were then heard. Carter raid that the accused came to his shop, and because he refused to close made use of offensive remarks to himself, his wife, and lady customer.-'. Eggs were t'arowu into tho shop, and their conduct generally , was boisterous. Tho remarks wire something like this, " Shut up your shop you —— Chinaman.” ,r We’ll make it hot for you.” About tea eggs were thrown into the shop. Watson appeared to be too leader of the movement. The evidence waa in favour of Steele not taking any part in the offensive behaviour. For the defence Dawson (President of tho Half-holiday Association) admitted that eggs were thrown, but so fat as he knew no members of his Association took part in it. M’Guire, one of tbe defendants, was not a member. Witness endeavoured to got Carter to close, but without success, though ha did nothing to disperse the crowd. M’Guire, in his evidence, denied the evidence of Mr and Mrs Carter, so far as related to him, and characterised the latter’s evidence as a tissue of falsehoods. His Worship held that there was no evidence against M’Guire and Hooper, and dismissed them. Watson, Jackeon and Steals were each bound over in their own recognisances of .£lO to appear for sentence when called upon, his Worship intimating that if either of the accused or their Society committed any further breach of the peace in connection, with the affair defendants would be fined £5 on the present charge. Accused were ordered to pay costs. Tho youths Turner, Money and Lambert were severely admonished and allowed to go.