HIE AUCKLAND RIOTS

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18623, 29 April 1932, Page 7

HIE AUCKLAND RIOTS

15 MEN CHARGED. OFFICIAL ACCOUNT. SEVERAL CONSTABLES ASSAULTED (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Friday. The first offloial account by the police concerning the riot which began at the Town Hall on April 14 was given at the Police Court, when 15 men, many of whom had already appeared on other charges, were charged with taking part In a riot with James Henry Edwards and others. In spector Hollis said he arrived before eight o’clock, and found several police Injured, and while he was speaking to a sergeant a shower of bricks, stones and pickets came from the crowd. Then he saw one of the accused leading a charge of rioters, uwing to the moot of the crowd witness instructed an officer to telephone tor reinforcements, including the Navy, fire brigade and mounted men. lie 1 saw one constable knocked down and jumped on. The constables drew their batons and charged part of the crowd, and when the mounted police arrived he ordered them to clear Queen Street. A large number of police officers and men were injured, several seriously.

A salesman said the fighting started in a flash. He saw a policeman jumped upon from the back, and banner poles were used on the police.

Constable Graham, who followed the procession up Queen Street, said he saw several windows smashed. As they marched Jim Edwards edged his part of the procession on to the tramlines. An attempt was made to capsize a taxi. At the Town Hall the crowd surged round half-a-dozen police at the main door, and they were struck with poles befoie they drew their batons. He saw Constable King knocked down, and six or eight rioters all trying to kick him. Questioned, witness said stones came from those behind the civil servants in the procession. Many of the rioters were armed with weapons which they could not have picked up In the street.

INCITING LAWLESBNESB. \ RELIEF WORKERS INTIMIDATED. THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT. (By Telegraph.—Pres* Association.* AUCKLAND, Friday. George Joseph Silver, who has more charges to answer than any of the others arrested as a consequence of •the recent disturbances, was charged in the Police Court to-day with intimidating relief workers and inciting lawlessness. ■ 1 Evidence was given that Silver led 200 or 300 other men to a relief job, where work was going on. On being informed that the men at work did not intend to join the strike, Silver said to his followers: “If these men go back to work what will we do?" Some of his followers said: “Puli' them out." Silver then told the men at work that they knew what to expect, and the responsibility was theirs. Counsel for the defence said there was no evidence that any man had been intimidated.

The Magistrate, Mr Hunt, said Silver had nearly 300 other men with him. The offence did not depend on whether the workers took notice of what Silver said. Silver was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, additional to a similar term he received yesterday. The other charges against him were adjourned. WAITER’S PLUCKY ACTION. SEIZED A REVOLVER. CONGRATULATED BY AUTHORITIES (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Friday. Evidence that at 10.30 on the night of the riot he seized a revolver from a man In the crowd who was excitedly brandishing it was given in the Police Court during the case against rioters to-day. The witness, a cabaret waiter, named Leonard Grandan, said the revolver was not loaded. The man disappeared in the crowd. | Counsel for the defence asked If witness was Sure he did not the revolver from a pawn-shop? The Magistrate, Mr Hunt, and the police prosecutor, objected to this remark. the latter saying that it was a particularly plucky action.