A NOISY MEETING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2333, 15 December 1914, Page 7

A NOISY MEETING

ALLEGED DISTURBER IN COURT INTERESTING EVIDENCE The hearing of tho charge against Ernest .Randall of disturbing tho No-Li-cense meeting recently held in tho Town Hall, and of assaulting Police Sergeant Kelly, was continued before Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. Mr. J. J. M'Grath appeared for defendant. Inspector Hendrcy appeared for tho prosecution, tho chargo of disturbing the meeting was taken first. Oswald C. Mazengarb continued his evidence. Speaking in reference to the moment of tho disturbance, witness alleged that at a signal a number of the disturbers loft the hall, accused among them. _ The latter turned and shouted some violent epithets to tho stage. To _Mr. M'Grath: Immediately a veiled invitation to disturbers was published in _ the papers by the Moderate League, it was considered necessary to see the Police, as trouble was anticipated at tho meeting. Witness remembered something that the chairman of tho meeting said, to the effect that he (the chairman) would not have dis- ~ turbers put out of the hall, but would invite them on the platform, where he could keep an oye on them. The greatest uproar of the evening occurred when Mr. Cornis,h, in his speech, compared tho Liquor Party to tho Germans. William Alexander Thomson, land agentj said he was present at the moeting among the audience. The meeting was of the usual style he had been attending of lato, but was not particularly bad in witness's opinion. The noise was general all over the hall. Witness first saw accused when Sergeant Kelly was putting him out of the meeting. Accused was struggling as if he Lad lost control of himself. Accused had hold of a chair, and Sergeant Kelly was saying "Come along quietly." ' Henry Havelock Cornish, teacher at Banks College, said he was 'a member of the Executive Committee at tue Prohibition meeting in question. Tho meeting was very noisy, the troublo commencing when tho Mayor started to speak. Witness could not swear, whether accused took a part in the disturbance. Lillian May Atkinson, wife of A. R. Atkinson, also gave evidence as to the noisy nature of the meeting, and of accused's turbulent behaviour. Samuel Thomas, of the Post and Telegraph Department,, also gave evidence aB to the rowdiness of the meeting. He' saw accused being put out of the hall by Sergeant Kelly.' Accused resisted, saying ho had as much right to stay in the liall as his remover. Prior to his arrest, accused had shouted .out in effect "Come, bbys, let's howl them down I" meaning tho speakers. To Mr. M'Grath: Witness was in favour of Prohibition. Probably, a third of tho audience were rowdy. Constablo Cunningham gave corroborative evidence. Accused had his hand over his month making a. humming noise. Witness saw defendant twice cautioned by the police. , Sergeant Cassidy and Sergeant Taylor gave corroborative evidence. Sergeant Kelly said that at the latter stage of the meeting it became ex< tremely lively. Accused was to bo observed in the aisle calling and shouting out. Witness went over, to him, and told him to desist, asking himtomovo out of the aislo. Witness told him not to mako a row as the Prohibition Party had paid for the hall. Accused replied that ho had paid for the hall, and was going to speak.._ Ho sang i'Ut something, at which "witness caught hold of him, and went to take him out. Accused grabbed hold of some chairs, and when witness attempted to unloosen his hands, accused back-kicked at him. Witness said he would charge him with assault if he did this, but accused only Toplicd with several more kicks. Eventually ho was conveyed to the Manners Street Police Station. To Mr. M'Grath: Witness did not hear the Mayor's statement about not having disturbers put out of the hall.' When witness got accused out of the main hall he first placed him in a small anteroom, and when in there accused sang out "Help . Help! He's dealing with me l" He sang this out no doubt to elicit sympathy. After further lengthy .examination of Sorgeant Kelly, the case was further adjourned to Monday next, when evidence for the defence will be called, and the, charge of assault taken.