SEEING THE PRINCE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16761, 10 June 1920, Page 2

SEEING THE PRINCE.

ABUSIVE LANGUAGE CHARGE.

An incident which occurred “on and about” the tall iron fence at the Fillis Street boundary of Pukekura Park during the reception to the Prince of Wales led to a charge of using abusive words in a public place being laid in the Magistrate’s Court this morning against a young man named Owen Lewis. A plea of not guilty was entered. Mr. Bonald H. Quilliam appeared for the informant (the Borough Inspector), and Mr. A. A. Bennett for the defendant.

Evidence was given by Hugh Baily, public accountant, and Reginald Day, borough inspector, for the prosecution, and by the defendant and a companion on behalf of the defendant. .

It was shown that Mr. Baily was with his wife, who was in charge of the younger school children, by the fence close to the rear of the Royal stand. Just as the Prince was speaking a considerable noise was caused by someone clambering up the iron fence from the outside. Mr. Baily, in endeavouring to stop it, and being afraid that someone might fall from the fence ,on to the children, rapped the fingers which appeared at tlie top of the fence with the stick of a small flag. Lewis resented this,' and when asked to get off the fence refused to do so, and threatened to “smash the flaces” of both Mr. Baily and Inspector Day, who was attracted: by the noise. Other men and boys who were on the fence did not refuse to leave their elevated position. Lewis admitted being annoyed by the knuckle-rapping and consequently using the threat of violence, but pleaded in extenuation that the gates were blocked by the crowd —this was denied by the inspector—and others were on the fence undisturbed when ho and two companions arrived. The Magistrate (Mr. T. A. B. Bailey) decided that the deferfdant should he convicted and ordered to pay the costs of the action (£1 7s).