AFTER THE STRIKE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8653, 11 February 1914, Page 7

AFTER THE STRIKE

TW9 CASES RE-HEARD HILL TO STAND THIRD TRIAL. 'The ro-hoaring of strike cases in which tho juries had disagreed last week was continued before His Honour the Chief J ustice in tho Supreme Court yesterday. TH OMI’SON ACQ U ITT’KD. The morning was occupied with tho case of Samuel Thompson, charged with having taken part in a riot cm Waterloo quay on October 30th, and with having assaulted certain special constables in tho execution of their duty. -Mr I’. S. K. Macasscy, Crown Law Officer, conducted the prosecution, and ’Mr A. Dunn appeared for the accused. The allegation against Thompson was that ho entered the Post and Telegraph Stolen yard and called to the crowd to attack tho special constables. Tho defence was a'denial of an encouragement to tho rioters, tho contention being that Thompson went to tho yard for tho purpose of interviewing tho captain of the ‘'specials.” Evidence was given, as at the previous hearing. The Crown called as an additional witness Constable Edo. Mr Dunn protected that notice of intention to call extra evidence had not been given him. Mr Macasscy explained that this witness was only called to give corroborative evidence. Tho jury retired a little after 1 o’clock, and returned! Tn an hour and a quarter with a verdict of “not guilty.” Tho foreman stated that the jury did not consider there was sufficient evidence to justify a conviction. Thompson was accordingly discharged. SECOND JURY DISAGREE. Tho next cue taken was that in which Robert Hill, a dairy employee, was charged with having taken -part in a riot in Taranaki street on November 4th. Tho accused was defended by Mr E. J. Fitzgibbon. The case was an outcome of the meleo which occurred outside tho ißoynl Tiger Hotel, and which lasted in tho locality from about 7 to 11 p.m. It was alleged that the accused throw a bottle at a constable. For tho defence it was contended that the accused took no part in the riot at all, but was making his way to Cuba street to got his supper, and found himself in tho crowd. Tho jury retired at ten minutes to 5 o’clock, and after remaining out the full four hours announced that they were unable to agree. His Honour ordered, a new trial, to toko place at tho next criminal sessions, in May. Hill was released in his own recognisance of £SO.