DISORDER AT MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17333, 3 December 1919, Page 9

DISORDER AT MEETING.

THE GREYMOUTH INCIDENT.

SEQUEL IN POLICE COURT.

[BY TELEGRAPH-OWN COEEESPOKDENT.J GRETMOUTH, Tuesday. An animated scene was presented at the Magistrate's Court this morning when the sequel to the demonstration against the Rev. Howard Elliott on his recent visit to Greymouth was reached.

At Mr. Elliott's meeting at the Wesley sall on the evening of October 20 a large crowd gathered outside, some of whom demonstrated their disapproval by throwing stones at the windows of the halL Several people were reported to' have been injured by the missiles. ■

As a result the police issued summonses against several ol those alleged to have been responsible for damage to the' bah and for various breaches oi the law, and this morning they appeared in court to answer the charges. Mr. W. Joyce appeared on behalf of all the defendants, and Detective Ward conducted the prosecution. Air. Wilson (Westport), by consent of the magistrate, Mr. E. C. Levey, S.M., was allowed to watch the proceedings on behalf of the Protestant Political Association. Denis Costello was first charged with assaulting Augustas Henry Barltrop on the evening of October 20, and thereby causing him bodily harm. Barltrop stated that he left the hall about 9 p.m. Near the Wesleyan Church he saw a man using threatening behaviour to a woman. Witness seized the man by the arm', and told him to leave the woman alone, Costello their came up and said "That inside had no respect for women," following this up by striking witness in the eye with his 'fist. It was a violent blow. He had no further words with the defendant.

Cross-examine*! by Mr. Joyce, witness stated that during the progress of the meet stones were thrown at the windows. Wtrle outside the hall he was also struck by a missile. The magistrate entered a conviction against defendant, but reserved his fixing of the penalty. A second charge against the defendant for threatening behaviour was dismissed. Gerald Joyce was charged that on October 21 he d : d throw a miss : le at Augustus Barltrop. Defendant pleaded not guilty. The magistrate said the evidence was so connecting that the defendant was entitled to the benefit of the doubt. The inforaa- ' tion would be dismissed.