RIOT CHARGES

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1932, Page 6

RIOT CHARGES

NEARING THE END.

(By Telegraph— Ber Brett Association

AUCKLAND, May 27

' It is expected that charges of rioting preferred against fourteen men against a n d for whom evidence has been heard in the Supreme Court since Minday, will go to- the jury late this afternoon. The Crown Prosecutor this morning addressed the \ jury, Opi’o- have been kept together ’ since .Mffiey were empannelled. He submitted that the riot was premeditated - and prepared for and summarised ...the evidence against each of the fcqused. The Crown Prosecutor, paid -a tribute to the courage and devotion of the police, and said thajf-when it was. re; mem.be red that ten. men stemmed the first, main rush, .and that, in all, a body of only 30 was able to control the forces that hopelessly outnumbered them, tribute of admiration was due for this exhibition of grim determinaion and courage. Summing up, Justice Herdman said that the case was of the most serious importance. There had probably been no previous event in New Zealand which had disturbed the public peace to .such .an extent «s the events of April 14th., .The jury must be satisfied that .there had been an unlawful assembly; that accused.had a common purpose; that tile riot took place; and that accused, or any of them, participated in it'. Rioting did, in fact, take place and a serious attempt was macle to force a- way into the Town Hall. One trembled to' think what might have happened if the mob had forced its way into tire hall where there wore many women and children. “Let it" be' remembered,” he said, “that the law of this country does not suffer people to obtain redress of their wrongs by disturbing the public peace.” - ■ ■