POLICE COURT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 387, 10 March 1908, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

At the local Police Court yesterday morning, before Messrs P. Henuessy, F. W. Frankland and F. Ashier, J’s.P., George Coley was charged by the police, with disorderly behaviour in a public place, to wit, Main Street, on Saturday night and was further charged with resisting the police while in the execution of their duty. The accused, who did not appear, was represented by Mr L. E. Reade, who pleaded guilty. Constable Woods stated that the accused visited a buck-jumping competition at about 9 p.m. He was under the influence of liquor. He complained in a loud voice that the horses were being treated cruelly, and the police should prosecute the owners. Accused started to argue with the showman. Advised accused to go home. At 10 o’clock, or shortly after the “pubs ” were closed, he came back with a number of followers, and re-entered the tent. He again created a disturbance, and complained that the police were not doing their duty. Attempts were made to quieten him. Mr Reade said the police bad stated the case fairly. Accused was the worse for liquor. Being a humane man the accused was under the impression that the buckjumping horses were being treated cruelly. The liquor excited him, and Mr Reade hoped the Bench, under the circumstances, would deal as lightly as possible with accused. The Bench decided to hear the second charge before convicting.

Accused was further charged with resisting the police while in the execution of their duty, to which Mr Reade pleaded guilty.

Constable Woods detailed what happened while the accused was under arrest. Mr Reade said accused consented to go quietly and in the struggle accused’s arm was injured. He, however, was not blaming the police for doing their duty. Mr Hennessy said the Bench was unanimous that the accused be fined £3 on the first charge and £$ on the second, costs 7s. Jas. Coley was charged with threatening behaviour, on the occasion above referred to. Accused, who was not present, was represented by Mr E. E. Reade, who pleaded guilty. He was fined £x and 7 s costs. The accused was further charged with unlawfully inciting a prisoner to resist the police while in the execution of their dutj’’.

Constable Woods said that the accused was following his father who was under arrest. There were upwards of 200 persons witnessing the arrest. Accused pulled off his coat and conducted himself in a very threatening manner. His behaviour was calculated to incite the crowd to violence, and unless the police were protected in cases of this sort, riots would be frequently happening in Foxton. He quoted the punishment that had been meted out to such offenders by Magistrates. He had heard the remark passed that had Coley been lodged in the cells the police station would have been wrecked. There were only two police officers in the town, and it was necessary that they should be protected.

Mr Reade said Constable Woods was going a little too strong. This was accused’s first offence, and he bore a good character, and had not been under the influence of liquor.. He reminded the Bench that there were extenuating circumstances, and blood was thicker than water. Accused asked the police to allow his father to go as he would find his way home. The police had made the case appear blacker than it really was. In fact he could not refrain from smiling at Constable Woods’ statements.

After a short deliberation the Bench stated that they would take the age and previous good conduct of the accused into consideration. It was absolutely necessary, however, the police should be protected whilst in the execution of their duty. They felt sure that every law-abiding citizen was heart and soul with the police in their action, and that what Constable Woods had anticipated would not have happened. The accused would be fined £ 5, and 7s costs.

John Anderson was charged with threatening behaviour on the date in question. He was not present, but was defended by Mr Reade, who pleaded guilty.

Constable Woods stated that the accused was exhibiting a fair amount of fight. Accused was fined £3, and 7s costs. In default, fourteen days’ hard labour.