OTHER STRIKE CASES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1915, 25 November 1913, Page 9

OTHER STRIKE CASES.

MAN GETS BENEFIT OF DOUBT. Wm. Georgo Renouf, a diminvttive wharf labourer, was charged with using insulting language in Tanuiaki Street on November 19. The language plained of was, "You dirty b 1 scab. Accused pleaded not guilty, aiid .was represented by Mr. J. F._W. Dickson. Kenneth Abbot, special constublo, stated that as he, in company with other special men, were turning .from Frederick Street into Taranaki Street, he had heard someono call ant tho language mentioned in the charge. Witnessi at onco turned, and saw accused with his face up, in tho act of uttering tho words. Accused had then run away, seeking refuge in a gatoway. Accused had given chase, and, wheu, he had caught up on tho man, tho latter f had called .out, "You hav® got tho wrong man." To Mr. Dickson: Ho was sure that acouscd was tho man. Another special constable gave corroborativo evidence. He added that ho had seen accused's lips moving a:i he uttered tlio words. "Theso specials aro wrong, or they are committing deliberato perjury," said Mr. Dickson, preparatory to the calling of a number of witnesses, whom ho said would swear that it was not accused who had used the languago complained of, but another man, w"ith a streak of blood on his face. "Thero is, no Mistake about this case. Your Worship, and I am sure you will como to the conclusion, wlion i put accused in the box, that this littlo man would noti hurt a fly." Accused gavo evidence to tho effcct that ho was in a crowd when tlio special mon wore passing. A man with si streak of blood 011 his face, ntear him, liad called out something in -which ho had said scab. Witness h tid said "Shi" to him, and tho man did not say anything else. Witness hcid afterwards run with tho rest of t'flo crowd from tho horses. Ho had bcctii arrested for calling out the. words which another man had uttered, and he had told his captors so. After livo witnesses had given. .Rebutting ovidonco, His Worship said there was no need for further witnesses! "It is a very suspicious caso," said His Worship. "It seems to me that everyone has given his evidence fairlje, although it was conflicting in regqrd to details. Defendant must have tho benefit of tho doubt, and the information will ho dismissed.

Waterloo Quay Riot. Antonia Stuparich was chargcd with taking part in a riot in Waterloo Quay on October 30. Mr. J. F. W. Dickson defended. Sergeant M'Glono stated that on; tlio morning of October 30 he was on duty at tho Post and Telegraph Stores. At about 10.30 a crowd of men came rushing down from the Post Office Square. Tliero were a number of horses belonging to special constables in the yards. Some of tho crowd rushed to the trucks near by and mounted thom. Tho crowd kspt calling from tha trucks, "Tlntro they aro! Tho scabs I Look at them!" After about ten mimitos a number of those on the trucks got down on tho railway lino and picked up stones from tho railway line, and other metal. Thiere was a rush tor the fence, and some of it was pulled do.vn, and the crowd! rushed through tho opening. Some had: stones, bars 'of iron, and piecos of wood jn their hands, and some were calling out, "Shoot tho ." As the special constables rode away stones, bo-ttUs, and pieces of wood were thrown at/ them. Before the fence was broken down accused was pointed out t<* witness by Constable Ferguson. Stflparich wob then standing with a largo stone in each hand against trucks, H» afterwards picked up a rail of tho fonce a.®d ran after tho special constables:. At about that time witness saw at least four men with revolvers. Ho saw Constable Cullen struck by a stone. Two other copstables wero also struck. ' To Mr. Dicksoi: He did toot-, see accused throw any 6tones. Thire was, howovor, no doubt as to identity. Constable Ferguson gave corroborative evidence. _ !. After further evideneo, Mr. 'Dickson stated that, tho defence would. bo reserved. Accused pleaded not guilty, said was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed in £200, two sureties of £100, and ono of £200.

Cases Remanded. Thomas Ackland elected to he rtiried by jury on two indictable cluiigos _ against him. One was a charge of taking part ill an unlawful assembly at 'Waterloo Qiiay 011 October 2D, and another of \:sing obscene .'anguago on tho same date, and at the same place. A third chargo against him was thsit of taking part in a riot. Ho was remanded until December 2, bail being allowed in £150 and two sureties of £75. Tho ease against Win. .'iota Compto'i of using insulting language cm Thorndon Quay 011 November 11 was adjourned to December 1. Owing to tho illness of ttro witnesses for tho prosecution, Albert Nowson (charged with assaulting Frank D. llorrick) and John Paton (<sMtfged with assaulting somo person unknown) were each further remanded on tail till Decomber 15. Both men are.'tramway employees. Rohearing Cramtedi In connection with the. application for a rehearing of the case in which Charles Finch was convicted ami -imprisoned for using insulting bmgungo, hie Worship stated that ho was prepared to grant a rehearing under peculiar* circumstances, Tlio case would not bo heard before himself, but probably before Mr. J- S. Evans, Bail was allowed in the sum 01 £50.