A PROTEST MEETING

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1930, Page 2

A PROTEST MEETING

AT MAGISTRATE’S REMARKS.

(By Telegraph—PrM* Association). ROTORUA, September 15. A very large meeting presided over by the Mayor,. Mr T. Jackson and convened by,; the Returned Soldier’s Association was held on Sunday night to protest against the Magistrate's re-marks,-when delivering judgement against ThPmas Hnlton in a recent slander case, the following resolutions were put arid Carried. “That the Rotorua R.S.A. and this meeting protest:—(a) At the harsh unwarranted statements recently made by the presiding magistrate, with regard to the late Thomas Henry Hulton in Smith v Hulton, wherein he referred to Hulton as a thief, blackmailer, perjurer, drunkard, drug addict and blackguard ; (b) That the Minister of Justice be requested to institute a public inquiry as to’the grounds for such a statement and as to the reason of the. Magistrate not directing police action against Hulton for perjury, theft and blackmail in order to substantiate his judgement; (c) This meeting desires to place.on record' its appreciation of the, excellent war service rendered by the lafe Mr Hulton and his conduct as a citizen of Rotorua.'during the last twenty years. Major R, Pansey, and Mayor W. Sumner spoke strongly in support of the resolution which was carried on a show pf hands.