Over Forty Men Before Court

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6835, 16 April 1932, Page 7

Over Forty Men Before Court

FINES AND IMPRISONMENT THE PENALTY. Par Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. Unprecedented scenes Avere witnessed this morning Avhen over forty men who had boon arrosted during tho night and early this morning on various charges, made their appcaranco at the Police Court. The authorities were not taking any chances of the mob endeavouring to crcato trouble at the Court and perhaps making an attempt to rescue; the arrested men. A strong naval cordon of Royal Marines and bluejackets assisted by the police and special constables, was formed about the Court and it Avas impossible to get through rae anes unless one had somo business at court. The arrested men were brought down in several police vans. Air. Hunt, SAL, presided and Sub-Inspector Unison, in charge of detectives, prosecuted in all cases. The first case called Avas that of George Joseph Silva, an Englishman, cnarged Avith assaulting Consu..jic Cook and Detective Whitehead Avhile in the execution of their duty and inciting lawlessness. "Both, these officers are dangerously ill in hospital and there may be more serious charges preferred against Silva later on,” said Sub-In-spector Gibson, who obtained a remand until April 22. A number of accused charged with taking part in an unlawfuL assembly werc remanded.

"This Indian is one of the looters,” said Air. Gibson, after Morran Horby had admitted stealing somo cigars and jewellery of a total \ r alue of £2 3s Cd. Horry was fined £5 or one month’s imprisonment. p William Ardrcll denied that he stole a Avatck and bottle of whisky of a total value of £4 5s and he was remanded until April 22. An American, E. George Essory, aged 30, pleaded guilty to a charge of behaving in a disorderly manner in Princess street. "This man is an American who abused some special constables. Nothing is known about him,” said Sub-Inspector Gibson. Essory was also fined £5 or one month in prison. Charged with assaulting a special constable, George Edward Porter pleaded not guilty and also denied a further charge of taking part in an unlawful assembly. He was remanded. Then there Avas Aliro Lidovic (Dalmatian), aged 24, who admitted tho theft of a bottle of rum at the Wavcrioy hotel. £5 or one month’s imprisonment Avas his penalty. A young man named Leonard Roberts Avas next to ontcr tho dock to admit stealing live cigars and a bottle of whisky. Detective-Sergeant McHugh said ho Avas with Detective Brady anci saw Roberts break a window and enter a shop. “He Avas filling his pockets with loot and Ave had to pull him; right out of the window,” said the de-tective-sergeant. "He kicked and punched us and called out to the crowd to come to his assistance. We kept tho crowd back at tho point of a gun and when we handcuffed Roberts he cried like a frog to make out that he Avas being hurt, but still the crowd did not come on. Roberts is the worst of tho lot,” Roberts Avas sent to gaol for three months.

Three men next appeared together. They were Andrew Henderson Woods, Keith Gordon Hellicr and Douglas William Harp, each pleading guilty to a charge of stealing six gold rings, four cigarette lighters, two jyatches, two clocks, a tobacco pouch, razor and pipe oi a total value of £lO, the property of Skcatcs Bros., jewellers. All Avere lined £5 or one mouth’s imprisonment.

A fine of £5 or the usual alternative was imposed on Robert Howarth (21) who stole a hat, six pipes and some cigars all worth £3. Joseph Henry Silver, who admitted the- theft of a string of beads and said they wero thrown out and ho picked them up, was fined £5 or one month. As there will probably be a more serious charge brought against him, John Reid, who admitted stealing two hones, cigars and. shaving soap of a total value of Ids, was remanded for a week.

Five bottles of scout, some brass trays and an ornament were stolen by Leonard Beasley who was also lined £5 or one month’s imprisonment. Nicolo Nigro, a young man, pleaded guilty of the theft of a mouth organ worth 2s Cd. “You arc only 17 so 1 will give you a chance,” said Air. Hunt. “You are convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called apon.” “This one has a very bad list of previous convictions,” said the sub-in-spector when Royal Desmond (Japnor pleaded guilty to the theft of two wristlet watches, six rings, cigarette lighters, and other articles. Ho was sentenced to six months’ gaol. Despite the serious nature of the proceedings there was much laughter concerning the case of Edward Huia Toroa, a Maori, charged with stealing clothing and rings worth £4, and further that lie was an idle and disorderly person found by night armed with a repeating rifle and bludgeon. Toroa pleaded guilty to the first charge. SubInspector Gibson said he would offer no evidence on the other charge. “Toroa was acting as a special constable and had a rifle on his shoulder and a baton in his hand. After helping himself to some goods he joined up with the police again. He’s rr‘ a. bad sort of fellow.” (Laughter). Toroa, for theft, was fined £5 or one month’s imprisonment. A large number of other offenders were dealt with in similar manner by the Magistrate. EMERGENCY LAW SUGGESTED WELLINGTON, April 15. When the Legislative Council went Into committee on the Unemployment Amendment Bill this morning, Sir Francis Bell suggested

that a clause should be included making peaceful picketing on relief jobs illegal. He said that endeavours Avere being made to keep young men from going into the country. Sir James Parr (Leader of the Council) said he doubted if the Bill Avas the proper place to insert such provision. In vieAV of recent happenings, lie thought it Avould be necessary for the Government to pass emergency legislation. He would confer Avith the Government on the point. On the third reading -of the Bill, Hon. L. M. Isitt expressed regret at the scenes Avhich had taken place in Auckland, and said it Ava s deplorable that the leaders of the country were being subjected to such irritation. He •believed that tho newspapers should close their columns to propaganda against the Government.

In replying to the third reading, Sir James Parr made reference to the Auckland demonstration, and said that if he were im authority in Auckland or Wellington he would prohibit processions through the main streets. If the unemployed desired to march, they should do so in the hack streets where no one could sec them.