AUCKLAND DISTURBANCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22329, 1 August 1934, Page 10

AUCKLAND DISTURBANCES

FREE SPEECH COUNCIL MEN BEFORE THE COURT (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 31. The remaining two men arrested, in connection with the disturbance in Beresford street on July 20, which allegedly arose as the result of an attempt by the “ Free Speech Council ” to conduct a public meeting, were charged in the Police Court before Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M. A third man, who appeared on summons, Robert Lowly, aged 21, a printer, was charged with wilfully obstructing a constable and inciting disorder, and with inciting Henry Mdrnington Smith to resist a constable. Lowry pleaded not guilty. “ This man got up to incite a crowd to rescue Smith .from the police,” said the magistrate. There was some doubt whether the accused had obstructed the police, and there was insufficient evidence to convict him on the charge of inciting Smith to resist. • These two charges were dismissed. In sentencing the accused on the charge of inciting disorder the magistrate said he would take into consideration the youth of accused, who was admitted to probation for two years on,the special condition that he is not away from his home after 7 p.m. each day without the consent of the probation officer.

Another man elected to be tried by a jury on a charge of using indecent language, and a third, who was convicted of holding a meeting without a permit, was fined £l.