AUCKLAND RIOTER GAOLED

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1932, Page 9

AUCKLAND RIOTER GAOLED

FULL SENTENCE ON EDWARD 6 “CONDUCT DISASTROUS, FUTILE.” JUDGE CRITICISES CHARACTER.. FOUR OTHER RIOTERS SENTENCED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Sentence was passed in the Supreme Court this afternoon on James Henry Edwards, aged 40, canvasser, who had been found guilty of taking part in a riot in the city on the night of April 14, The maximum sentence of imprisonment for two years -was imposed. Counsel for Edwards asked leave to withdrawn Edwards’ appeal against a sentence of three months imposed on him iu the Police Court on another charge. Mr. Justice Herdman acceded to the request, “In my opinion the verdict of the ury was perfectly right,” said his Honour to Edwards, “Possessing a high sense of public duty they could not do otherwise than they did. I regard, you as being principally responsible for the lamentable display of tumult and lawlessness which startled the citizens of Auckland on the night of April 14, so for your misconduct you will have to suffer the maximum punishment which the law permits. Your record shows that you have been systematically active in the spread of disaffection, and I have no doubt at all that the determination to invade the town hall and attack the police, if not designed by you, had your cordial approval and encouragement. “It is fortunate for you that no lives were lost. Had that happened you would have been standing your trial for something more serious tliq.n riot. .As it is you and those associated with. you must accept responsibility for inflicting injuries upon police officers from which they may never wholly recover, for the destruction of thousands of pounds worth of property and for bringing the name of the country of which we are proud into disrepute. “I shall say no more except this,” said his Honour, “that I hope the punishment I am inflicting upon you and other law-breakers will make men like you understand how disastrous and futile conduct such as yours is, and that when it is indulged in, the law, moving swiftly and inexorably, punishes law-breakers with a heavy hand.” Edwards was then sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with hard labour. Oswald Bourbeau, John William McOorkindale, George Budd and Albert William Searles, who were found guilty at the* criminal sessions this week of taking part in the riot in Queen Street on April 14, came up for sentence. The sentences were: Bourbeau, 21 months; McCorkindale, 21 months; Budd, 21 months to be served at the expiration of a former sentence of six months; iSearles, 12 months.