GANGLAND TACTICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 65, 14 October 1930, Page 7

GANGLAND TACTICS.

YOUNG MEN FSNED. SETTING 'FIRE TO BRIDGE. AUCKLAND, October I:?. Two young farmers from the lViy of Plenty were sentenced in the Supreme Court to-day for sotting fire to the Kopouroa bridge, between 'ie Puke and Papamoa. They wore George Ernest King, aged 21, stul Roy Tannahill McLeod, aged 23, both described as members of highly-re-spected families. Mr. Justice Pc-d said it appeared that the bridge had hen ' fired in order to prevent residents of one part of the district attending a public meeting called for the purpose of fixing a central site for a proposed hall. This attempt was. in principle, tho same as the action of the gangsters in Chicago, and could not be tolerated in this country. According 1 to the police reports, the action ol tho two accused was approved by a section of the community, and there was a tendency to lionise them. He hoped that the tendency was not (Shared by intelligent residents of the district. Accused were liable to life imprisonment, but. in view of their youth and good character, he would: not send them to gaol. McLeod was fined £SO and £2O costs and damages, in default six months'' imprisonment. King was fined £25 and El2 damages, in default three months' imprisonment.