A PETONE EPISODE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1921, Page 4

A PETONE EPISODE.

INTIMIDATION OF AVORICER. FOUR MEN FINED. WELLINGTON, June 23. Court proceedings instituted against four late employees of the Petone gasworks created considerable interest at Petone this morning. The men had to answer three charges—(l) that with a view to compelling Robert Charles Dick to abstain from doing an act which he had a legal right to do, suoli acl being to follow his employment at the Petone gasworks, did wrongfully without legal authority follow Robert Charles Dick from place to place ; (2) did steal a lamp and two motor-cycle valves, tlie property of Dick ; (3) did wrongfully, without legal authority use violence to Dick.

The men charged were Bruce Ford, Ronald Ferguson, Peter .Mullins and George James. Ferguson, who was in charge of a motor-car used by the pickets, was 1 alleged to have driven the other three men after Dick when lie left the works.

Senior-Sergeant Bird said that Dick resided at Upper Mutt and used a motor cycle and side-car. Dick left work at I p.ni. and was, followed shortly afterwards bv a car containing the accused. The car passed Dick, travelling at a high speed, when certain remarks were made at Dick from the car. The car shortly afterwards pulled up across the road. Dick, to avoid it, took a side mad and came out on the nisiin road some distance further on. He next saw the car pulled across the road opposite the Ttiit;i Hotel. Dick then turned back, with the intention of reporting the matter to the Hutt police, but the car turned and followed him. Gn reaching Mr Kil in i lister’s residence Dick pulled the motor-cycle to the side of the road and went to Kilminster’s house. The three accused followed him and called Dick a “scab.” Two caught him and injured bis sltouider. They took out the valves of the motor-cycle Ivies and Look them away. Robert Charles Dick said that when the motor car passed him at Lower Hutt the three accused called out, "You dirt v, lolten scabby —.” He

heard Ford, Ferguson and Mullins use the words. On reaching Taita School the ear passed him again, when the same language was addressed to him with the addition of “You dirty scab.” In Kilmiiister’s yaid Ferguson and Ford caught him round the hack of the neck ami continued calling him “a scabby .” In the sculfle Dick

got a blow on the forehead. He did not know who gave it. Mullins came at, him. letting drive several blows, which he managed to miss, ile ’bon got away into Kilminster’s kitchen Mrs Lvi[minstcr, who had seen the affray, rushed out as lie went in. Did-: locked the door. Mrs Kilminster went for her husband.

Senior-Sergeant Bird stated that be bad previously explained the law as

regards following and obstructing to the men who were acting as pickets at tin' gate of the works. One of them nave an assurance that all they were doing was making a peaceful explanation of their side of the story to anyone seeking work.

Several witnesses were called. The defence was a denial that any language or violence was used, that the in ton t ion was to peacefully follow Dick to bis home and there make a quiet explanation of the position from the men’s point of view . Each of the accused gave evidence on his own beliali. .Mullins stated that lie was in a state oi intoxication and did not remember anything. The other accused denied the charges. Regarding the alleged use of the word “kill,” mentioned by one witness, they sit id they explained to Air Kilminster what they were there for and that they were not going to kill the man. Lord, Ferguson and Mullins were each convicted and fined L‘ 1() each on the first and third charges, the second charge being withdrawn. James was fined £1(1 oil the charge of following, being found not guilty on the charge of using violence. The charge of theft against James was withdrawn. Accused wore given forty-eight hours to find the money, with the alternative ol three months’ imprisonment. The Magistrate characterised the actions of accused as most cowardly, flic whole action being “a rascally, scoundrelly, disgraceful piece of business.”

Ferguson also was charged with driving a motor at excessive speed and was fined 10s and costs.