BEFORE THE COURT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1916, 26 November 1913, Page 9

BEFORE THE COURT.

INSULTING THE "SPECIALS." (By Telcsraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, November 25. Two cases arising out of street disturbances which took placo on November 10 »wcro heard before Mr. Eraser, S.M., at t'ho Police Court to-day 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 peaco; and Poter Upton Barrett, motor-ca»- driver, was charged with failing, whetf. overtaking a horse, to keep to the right side of tho road.

The case for the prosecution was that when a company of mounted spocial constables was returning to camp by way of Manukau Pioad, tho' defendant Barrett drove his motor-car at an unreasonable speed past the column on the wrong side of tho road, whilo the defendant Long stood tip in the car and used insulting languago to the special constables, H© also made insulting gestures. Mr. Eraser, in giving judgment, said that although there might liavo been more in Barrett's case than a breach of the by-law, he would treat it as such, and convict and fino him 10s. and costs 75., and half tho witnesses' expenses. Long's case was different. Tlio evidence that he had used insulting languago had not been shaken by cross-examination. Ho accepted tho statement that Long was a man of exemplary character, and regretted that one holding the responsible position he did in' Labour circles should have allowed himself to bo. carried away in the excitement of tlio moment. He was.convicted and fined £2, and costs l'ls., and ordered to pay halt tlio .witnesses' costs.