DISORDERLY SCENES

Otago Witness, Issue 4039, 11 August 1931, Page 59

DISORDERLY SCENES

CLASH WITH THE POLICE PENALTIES IMPOSED BY COURT. CHRISTCHURCH, August 4. As a result of Saturday's disturbances the magistrate, Mr E. D. Mosley, after hearing evidence, dismissed the charges of disorderly behaviour and insulting language against George Christopher Harris. Evidence was then heard in the three other cases remanded from yesterday. The police said that Harris had been ‘‘booing’’ and had called out “Come on.” He also called a sergeant a “ mongrel.” Counsel for the defence said that Harris went to the railway station only out of curiosity, and had not caused any disorder. Answering a question by counsel whether he drew his baton before any disorder occurred, witness exclaimed: “ It’s a lie.” He considered the trouble was started by the concerted action of the Communists. Speaking on behalf of Riley, M’Kegney, and Dodge, counsel (Mr Hunter) said that nothing was done until the police attacked them with batons. The police, he said, precipitated trouble in drawing their batons. The magistrate gave Harris the benefit of the doubt. In the other cases Sergeant Hyland said he was rushed by M'Kegney and while both were on tjie ground witness was kicked by another man. There was no doubt M'Kegney was fighting with Sergeant Leckie. Witness, in answer to counsel, said he only drew his baton when he was kicked on the ground. He denied that the police were seeing “ red.” He said the arrests were justified, as the situation was ugly. Sergeant Leckie said Riley had a baton a foot long in his hand. He saw other men attacking Constable Phillips, who was on the ground. Riley and Dodge were arrested at Hereford street. Dodge then lay down and used his feet and fists freely. The magistrate said there had been much contradictory evidence, but it was impossible for him to conclude that the police officers, as had been alleged, had. at the risk of their own lives, incited the crowd to attack them. M'Kegney, on the charge of unlawfully resisting arrest, was sentenced to three months’ hard labour. Dodge, for resisting arrest, was sentenced to two months’ hard labour. Riley was fined £5 for disorderly behaviour. M'Kegney and Dodge were fined £5 each for disorderly behaviour, and Dodge and Riley £2 each for taking part in an unauthorised pro cession. The magistrate held the charges ot inciting to lawlessness proven, but he said he did not wish to be unnecessarily hard on the men who had been punished for the other offences. He dismissed the informations, using his discretionary powers under the Offenders Probation Act. Riley asked for time to pay the fine, but he refused to accept the magistrate’s condition that if he were allowed a month he would refrain in the meantime from associating himself with law lesness of a similar kind. Thereupon, the magistrate said that no time • would be allowed. The fine must be paid forthwith, in default two months’ imprisonment.