DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23637, 22 October 1938, Page 16

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

SEQUEL TO ELECTION MEETING DEFENDANT FINED £2 A further sequel to a political meeting in the Town Hall on. September 28, when Mr W. A. Bodkin was subjected to considerable interruption, was heard in the City Police Court yesterday before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., William George Pullar being charged with behaving in a disorderly manner in a public place. The defendant, who was represented by Mr 0. G. Stevens, pleaded not guilty. Senior Sergeant Claasen said that the defendant was seated near the back of the hall and about 9.15 p.m. he came under the notice of Constable Quirk by persistent interjection. He was warned, but although his companion stopped he continued to interject and was asked to leave the hall. While he was being taken out he repeated several times in a loud voice, “I was only laughing; can’t a man laugh? ” The defendant’s noise was mainly raucous, derisive laughter. There was no indication that he had been drinking, but he admitted himself that he had had four glasses of beer. Cross-examined by Mr Stevens, Constable Quirk, who gave evidence regarding the occurrence, admitted that the speaker at the meeting had said to the audience: “I’ll give you something to squeal about. Go on, squeal! ” Mr Stevens; Was not that language provocative? Would a man with ordinary common sense have said that? Constable Quirk: But he wasn’t. He was a politician that night; In answer to a question by Senior Sergeant Claasen, witness said half the audience had been disorderly in varying degrees, but only a few had been as bad as the defendant. Inspector Roach said he had gone to the meeting at 9 o’clock. There was a great deal of interruption and with Superintendent Rawle he had endeavoured to sort out some of the people who were making the disturbance, He had heard the defendant yelling at the top of his voice, but he had stopped when witness looked at him. He did not see the defendant being taken out of the hall. Mr Stevens said the defendant was very upset about the occurrence. It was unfortunate that he had been singled out among a great number of interjectors. The candidate’s words, “I’ll give you something to squeal about,” were only inviting trouble, and the language was undoubtedly provocative. At a political meeting a certain amout of licence was usually granted. After the defendant had given evidence the magistrate said that Pullar might have been under the influence of liquor, but whatever the cause he had behaved in a disorderly manner and on the evidence would be convicted. The defendant was fined 40s.