AFTERMATH OF RIOTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21163, 21 April 1932, Page 12

AFTERMATH OF RIOTS.

FOUR MEN IMPRISONED.

TWO COMMUNIST LEADERS. CONVICTIONS FOR VAGRANCY. MODE OF LIFE DESCRIBED. Sentences of imprisonment were imposed by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.. in the Police Court yesterday on four men appearing on charges arising from the riots in the city. The thoroughfares leading to the Courthouse in Kitchener Street were again guarded by uniformed police. Stated by the police to be prominent as leaders of tho Communist group in Auckland, William John Budd, seaman, aged 35, and Roderick Kenneth Rowlands, labourer, aged 34, were sentenced to three months' imprisonment each when they were charged with vagrancy. Budd was remanded to appear tomorrow on a further charge, of taking part in an unlawful assembly. Detective Nalder said lie had known Rowlands for about eight years. The only work lie had known the accused In do was when he assisted a blind man several

years ago. "Rowlands has been living at the house occupied bv James Henry Edwards and he has been associated with the Communist Party," the detective added. "He has spoken front the party's platforms. Wo have received complaints that he took up collections in the Domain and was collecting with Mrs. Edwards in the city yesterday." Mr. Nalder went on to say that Rowlands was found at Mrs. Edwards' residence, and Mrs. Edwards had claimed responsibility for collecting an amount of money found in the accused s possession. Rowlands was said to be chairman of the relief committee of the unemployed workers. Money for Strikers' Dependants. "Why was hp creating a benevolent fund?"" asked Detective-Sergeant Kelly, who prosecuted. Witness: Rowlands said the money was for the dependants of the strikers. Referring to Budd, Mr. Nalder said tho accused had not worked for a long period. He first appeared in Auckland about four vears ago, the detective added, and, for a time, was supported by a woman member of the Communist Party, a Sarah Lazarovich, who came to Auckland from England. "Budd is a leader of the Communist Party and he was at an eviction in Vincent Street yesterday," the detective proceeded. "tie had a head injury and he stated that he received it in a scrimmage on Thursday evening. He also had a short iron bar in his possession and explained that he picked it up in the street, thinking that it 'might come in useful.' " Counsel for the accused remarked that, were the men guilty of the conduct alleged by the police, vagrancy should not be used as a lever to bring them before the Court.

Detective Allsopp stated that he had never known Budd to do any work. He had distributed literature and, for six or seven months, had spoken from Communist Party platforms. Budd was simply an agitator, the detective said. Rowlands did not work and also agitated.

Counsel: But they may have resources, Prominent in Processions.

Detective McWhirter, who also gave evidence, said the men had no resources. They were always prominent in processions.

"They are apparently employed by somebodv to do this." remarked counsel.

Mr. Kelly: According to our information, one of them is an advocate for Russia.

The father of Rowlands gave evidence on behalf of the accused, and said his son was not able to work. He was completely disabled, having a bullet in the head and being partly paralysed. Witness expressed his willingness to support his son. as he had been doing. Mr. Kelly: Can you tell me why your son has 12 convictions ? Did you look after him when he received a month's imprisonment over the Norfolk Street eviction ?

In sentencing the men, the magistrate said the evidence clearly showed that neither of the accused worked. A native of Tasmania, Richard James Schofield, aged 67, pleaded not guilty to charges of using indecent language and behaving in a disorderly manner in Karangahape Road. Evidence was given bv Detective Brady, who said that Schofield had been asked I>v a naval man to move on at the time the crowd was being pressed back, and then iisfhl the language alleged. The expressions might, easily have started a riot. The detective considered that Schofield had Inst bis head. Before the incident, he had not taken part in the demonstration. The accused had said he was struck by a naval man. Detective Nalder said Schofield was the group leader of the Communist Party. The Accused: [ am not the group leader now. Remanded For Sentence. For the defence, it was said that Schofield was struck by a baton although hp, had not given provocation. This caused him to lose, his head. Schofield said he had been told to move, but he could not go faster than the mass of the people permitted. The magistrate remanded Schofield for a week for sentence. A sentence of six months' imprisonment was imposed on David McArthur Todd, carpenter, aged 47, charged with stealing an overcoat valued at, £3 15s, the property of Horace Hull, Limited. The accused said he. picked up the coat, but did not intend committing theft. Mr. Kelly staled that Todd, who was "one of the worst criminals in Auckland." was seen in the act of taking file coat. Pleading guilty to stealing an overcoat valued at £4. the property of CartcrForsythe, Limited, William Arthur, a Maori labourer, aged 21, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. "An English Public School Boy."

"This man is an English public school boy," stated Mr. Kelly, when Keith Harry Bryan Robinson, labourer, aged 23, pleaded guilty to stealing a watch, three rings and an armlet valued at £3 10s. Mr. Kellv said an appointment had been made between a man and the accused, who had been asked if he had any goods to sell. A special constable was at the interview, Robinson explaining that, lie picked the articles up and bad not had an opportunity of getting rid of them. The accused had been in New Zealand for six years, and had done farm work. Robinson was remanded for a week for sent enre.

An American, Martin Holland ('aims, slonemason, aged 53, pleaded guilty to a charge of using insulting language on Friday evening. Mr. Kelly stated that Cairns had make the remarks against a detachment of mounted men. I''or Cairns, it was stated that the accused was appearing in Court for the first time. He had not been taking part in the disturbance, but had drawn £43 from a bank on Friday and bad taken drink. Cairns was married, with three children, and was ail honest worker. He had been in custody since Fridov.

In imposing a fine of £5. in default one month's imprisonment, the magistrate pointed out that lie would have to make the penalty under the regulations. George Albert Collett, labourer, aged 40. pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing a pair of women's shoes valued at 19s lid, and a pipe valued a(, 3s 6d, and was remanded for a week for sentence.