CASES BEFORE THE COURT.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14833, 26 November 1913, Page 11

CASES BEFORE THE COURT.

(PBESP ASSOCIATION TELKGRAMS.) AUCKLAND, November 25. The cases arising out of the, street disturbances which took place on November 10th, were heard before Mr Fraser, S.M., at the Police Court today. Thomas Long, secretary of the Hotel and Restaurant Employees' Union, was charged with using insulting behaviour, it being alleged that his actions were likely to cause a breach of tho peace. .Peter Upton Barrett, motor-car driver, was charged with failing, when overtaking a horse, to keep on the rightside of the road. The case for the prosecution was that when a company of mounted special constables was returning to camp by way of Manukau road, defendant Barrett drove his motor-car at an unreasonable speed past the column on the wrong side, whilo defendant Long stood up in the car and used insulting language to the special constables, and also made insulting gestures. Mr Fraser, in giving judgment, said' that although there might have been more in Barrett's case than a breach of the by-laws, he would treat it as such, and convict and fine him 10s, and costs 7s, and half witnesses' expenses. Longs case was different. Tho evidence for the prosecution that he used insulting language was not shaken by cross-examination. Ho accepted the statement that Long was a man of exemplary character, and regretted that one holding such a responsible position as he did in labour circles should have allowed himself to be carried away in the excitement of a moment. He was convicted and fined £2. and costs 11s, and ordered to pay half witnesses' costs.