LAW REPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2151, 18 May 1914, Page 9

LAW REPORTS.

SUPREME COURT. NOLLE PROSEQUI ENTERED, ON RIOT CHARGES. At (lie Supreme Court on Saturday, before His Honour Mr. Justice Hosking, another of the re-trial eases arising out of tlie recent strike in Wellington, was taken. Accused was George Johnston, n young man. who was charged with'having taken pnrt in a riot on November 5, 1913. a da to during the strike. Mr. It. If. Ostler prosecuted for the Crown, and Mr. E, J. Eitzgibbon represented accused, who pleaded not guilty. Mr. Ostler outlined the case for the Crown, and said that on Wednesday afternoon, November 3 last, a serious riot took place in Featlierstort Street. A large crowd of strikers had congregated, and mount??] special constables were being stoned. During the riot accused was arrestee], and takes', to the police station, where wveral large stones were found in his pockets;

Robert Mackenzie Watson, barrister and solicitor, gave evidence as. to tlw riot. He was a special constable, bvA saw the stones thrown at the mounted specials. There was a lot of shouting going on, and tll-o mounted men had to charge the rioters. Witness was with the foot-specials, and stones were 1 thrown in their direction ifroni men who wore in the grounds of the Government Puddings. Accused was arrested ami searched in the presence of wit* uess. and between three and six stones ■ wore taken from his pockets. • Accused mado a number of explanations, amongst others tliftt he had the stones in self-defence.

After other evidence had been taken, the jury retired for three hours. Whet) tliov returned, the foreman said that tiiev had been unable to agree,

Mr. Ostler said that tie would enter a nolle prosenui in this case, and in the one against Robert Hill, who was three' times tried on a similar charge.