APRIL RIOT RECALLED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21318, 20 October 1932, Page 14

APRIL RIOT RECALLED

INCIDENT IN NEWTON WINDOW-BREAKING CHARGE DISMISSAL OF AN APPEAL Incidents of the rioting in Karangahape Road on tho night of April 15 last were recalled during the hearing of .an appeal case in the Supreme Court yesterday. The appellant was Robert Hull, who was sentenced by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., to three months' imprisonment for throwing a stone through a shop window. The appeal, which was taken by way of a rehearing, was heard by Mr. Justice Herdman. Mr. Sullivan appeared for the appellant, and Mr. Meredith represented the police. Mr. Meredith said that evidence would be given by four witnesses who saw accused throw a stone through a window valued at £25 at the corner of Pitt Street and Bcresford Street. He was kept under observation until his arrest an hour and a-half later. Detective-Sergeant T. J. Doyle said he saw Hall run down Pitt Street and turn into Bcresford Street. He swung round and threw a missile that went through a window, and then danced and commenced to laugh. Witness kept Hall under observation, and after 9 o'clock followed him along Karangahape Road and arrested him near Grafton Bridge. When Detective Nalder searched him at the police station he found scoria dust in one of his pockets. Hall denied having been at the placo alleged. After corroborative evidence had been given, Mr. Sullivan said the defence was that Hall hr.d an injured finger, and put up his hand to avoid having it hurt by the crowd. His finger was so bad that he could not possibly throw a stone. Dr. E. J. Miller gave evidence as to Hall's injury, and said it would be painful for lum to throw a stone at the time of the riot. • Hall, in evidence, denied having thrown a stone, or danced and laughed that night. "In my view the evidence that has been given by Hall and his witnesses is by no moans satisfactory, nor is it convincing," said His Honor, in dismissing the appeal. The evidenco for the police seemed to him fair and convincing. Ha could not sec his way to vary the punishment the magistrate had thought fit to impose. The appeal would be dismissed, and £7 7s costs and witnesses' expenses allowed.