DISGRACEFUL PROCEEDINGS OF VOLUNTEERS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 939, 21 April 1879, Page 2

DISGRACEFUL PROCEEDINGS OF VOLUNTEERS.

[P.Y TELEGRAPH.] DrxKi'iN", April 19. At the City Police Court to-day, Julius Eastwood, a man of color, and a member of the Timaru Hi tie Corps, was charged on a warrant with having on the 15th inst. behaved in Stuart-street in a manner calculated to provoke a breach of the peace. Prisoner was undefended, and admitted the charge. Inspector Mallard, who conducted the prosecution, said, that in consequence of prisoner's misbehaviour on the night in question, it was deemed advisable that an information should be laid, and a warrant issued for his arrest. Detective Iseill, deposed : I remember the night in question (Tuesday, the 15th inst.). I was on duty in S:uart-street about 11 o'clock. Accused was there. He was apparently commanding a lot of Volunteers, marching them two deep up and down Stuart-street, and when the men were opposite a house kept by one Kate Walker, he called on them to halt. He then cried out, £: Guards of Timaru, men to the front." I was standing on tile footpath in front of the house. Prisoner came forward. There were over GO men in the party, and they were accompanied by a crowd of larrikins and roughs, bringing the number up to 100. Prisoner said : " This is the house," pointing to No. 1, " that we will break down.'' Constable Hall was at the door of the house, and told him to desist. He did so, but subsequently made several attempts at getting into the house, the constable always preventing him. Then prisoner gave a command to the men to form four deep, and to march four paces to the front. This brought them on to the footpath. He next said to the men, " Come, now we will break down this house." Some of the volunteers had boards at their shoulders, as an officer would carry his sword. Prisoner went forward, caught hold of the shutter of the window, and pulled it olf. I said to him, •' Surely you have more sense than to break down this place. If the girls have done anything to yon, you have your remedy." He replied, •' I spent L 5 There, and I want it back, and will get it." I had some words further with him, and he said that if I chose I might enquire whether Dr. Brown had not been paid for building up his nose, which was broken there on the previous Thursday night. Ho called on his men to begin the work* of destruction at the house. Seeing how matters stood, I went into the house, and asked prisoner to accompany me, promising to get him the money if I could. While we were inside the crowd was very clamorous and disorderly. The woman Walker gave him the money at my request. Prisoner came outside, saying, " Now I have got Lo, and the crowd, cheering loudly, marched up towards the Octagon. At the outset prisoner had demanded a man who was in the house, and who ho sak! had assaulted him on the Thursday night. Detective oSTeill said no one was inside. Detective Bain gave corroborative evidence. Prisoner was charged with stealing four, LI notes, one half sovereign, and ten shillings in silver, from the person of Catherine Walker.

Prosecutrix deposed that she resided in Stuart-street. On Tuesday night last, the accused entered her house jibout- a quarter past 11. He demanded iis, failing to get which, he threatened to get his gang to tear the front of the house down. Witness took the detective's advice and gave the money. She said she would sooner have given L 5, if she had it, than have the place destroyed. It was her own money. The money was given to save the lives of the inmates of the house, and to prevent the place from being torn down.

To the prisoner : You were in the house on the Thursday previous, but only spent LI. You said if you had your sword you would stick it through our hearts. Prisoner : It's a downright story, my good woman. Detective jSeill deposed that seeing the state of things going on outside, he advised the last witness to pay the money in order to save her life, and the house from being wrecked. Inspector Mallard : I think, your Worship, this will be a fair question to putto the detective, as an oflieer of a number of year's experience : Had the state of affairs arrived at such a crisis that you in your wisdom thought that the most prudent course to take Witness : I have very little hesitation in saving that had I not acted as I did the house would certainly have been attacked. The money was paid under protest. This was the case for the prosecution. Prisoner said he wished to get the captain of his company (Mr. Hammersley), who was a solicitor, to conduct his defence. The charges were accordingly formally adjourned until Wednesday, to be taken at 2.30 p.m. Bail would be allowed in prisoner's own recognisance for L2O, and two sureties of LlO each.