THE PETONE STRIKE

Southland Times, Issue 19260, 25 June 1921, Page 6

THE PETONE STRIKE

PICKETS BEFORE THE COURT. SUBSTANTIAL FINES IMPOSED. (Ter United Press Association.) WELLINGTOxN, June 23. Court proceedings instituted against four late employees of the Petone gasworks created considerable interest at Petcne this morning. The men had to answer three charges: (11 With a view to compelling Robert Charles Dick to abstain from doing an act which he had a legal right to do, such act being to follow his employment at the Petone gasworks, they did wrongfully without legal authority follow Robert Charles Dick from place to place; (2) they did steal a lamp and two motor cycle valves the property of Dick; (3) they did wrongfully without legal authority use violence to Dick. The men charged were Bruce Ford, Ronald Ferguson, Peter Mullins and George James Ferguson, who was in charge of the motor car used by the pickets, was alleged to have driven the other three men after Dick when he left the works. Senior Sergeant Bird said that Dick resided at Upper Hutt and used a motor cycle and side car. Dick left work at 4 p.m. and was followed shortly afterwards by a car containing the accused. The car passed Dick travelling at high speed, when certain remarks were made at Dick from the car. The car shortly afterwards pulled up across the road. Dick to avoid it took a side road and came out on the main road some distance further on. He next saw the car pulled across the road opposite the Taita Hotel. Dick then turned back with the intention of reporting the matter to the Hutt police but the car turned and followed him. On reaching Kilminster’s residence, Dick pulled the motor cycle to a side road and went to Kilminster’s house. The three accused followed him. They called Dick a “scab.” Two caught him and injured his shoulder. They took valves out of the motor-cycle tires and took them away. Robt. Chas. Dick said that when the motor car passed him at Lower Hutt, the three accused called out: “You dirty rotten scabby.’ He heard Ford, Ferguson and Mullins use the words. On reaching the Taita school, the car passed him again when the same language was addressed to him with the addition of “You dirty scab.” In Kilminster’s yard Ferguson and Ford caught him round the back of the neck and continued calling him “a scabby —” In the scuffle Dick got a blow on the forehead. He did not know who gave it. Mullins came at him, letting drive several blows which he managed to avoid. He then got away into Kilminster’s kitchen. Mrs Kilminster, who had seen the affray, rushed out as he went in. Dick locked the door. Mrs Kilminster went- for her husband. Senior-Sergeant Bird stated that he Jiad | previously explained the law as regards following and obstructing to the men who were acting as pickets at the gate of the works. One of them gave him an assurance that all they were doing was malting a peaceful explanation of their side of the story to anyone seeking work. The defence was a denial that any language or violence or violence was used, that the intention was to peacefully follow Dick to his home and there to make a quiet explanation of the position from the men’s point of view. Eich of the accused gave evidence on his own behalf. Mullins stated he was in a state of intoxication and did not remember anything. The other accused denied the charges regaridng the alleged use of the word “kill” mentioned by one witness and said that they explained to Kilminster what they were there for, that they were not going to kill any man. Ford, Ferguson and Mullins were each convicted and fined £lO each on the first and third charges, the second charge being withdrawn. James was fined £lO on the charge of following, being found not guilty on the charge of using violence. The charge of theft against James was withdrawn. The accused were given 48 hours in which to find the money, with the alternative of three months’ imprisonment. Ferguson was also charged with driving the motor car at an excessive speed and was fined 40s and costs. .