The Public Welfare

NZ Truth, Issue 1213, 28 February 1929, Page 5

The Public Welfare

"THE public must be protected. The streets and wharves must be made safe for men as well as women. Mr. Justice Kennedy when sentencing McKenna.

iiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiniiiiniiiiiniuiiuiiiim •THERE was considerable brutalitj I shown m the assault, for both oi the men who were assailed wen ill-treated and man-handled. John Edward Siddens, aged 18, was able to satisfy the jury with an alibi He brought witnesses to say that h< was at the wrestling match at th< Town Hall that night, but Cyril Kevai McKenna, after a lengthy hearing anc a dogged defence by Mr. J. J. Sullivan who acted for both young men, was found guilty of both robberies and recommended to mercy on the score oi his youth. . ■ , ... About 9.30 p.m. on the night of th< assault, Walter Easton, a fruit preserver, was m an ill-lit structure neai the Albert Wharf when he was accosted by two young men, one oi whom, after asking him for a cigarette, suggested. a walk, which requesi was declined. ■ , When Easton attempted to leave the building McKenna barred his. exit anc asked "him if he had any money. On being told that he had not, he struck him m the face with his fist. The other man then demanded .his watch, and when this invitation to hand over was met with a refusal, he received several blows on the face.

Made His Escape

When he. made his escape to the outer air, they both followed him and pinned his arms against Messrs. Bradney and Binns' office and went through his pockets. Finally he broke loose, minus his coat, hat and 4/6 m cash, ran to the vehicular ferry leaving for Devonport, and so made his escape. Later Easton returned to the city by the regular ferry boat and reported the assault and robbery to the wharf police. Several days later he saw Siddens at the police station, and he swore that he had no doubt that he was the other man. . It was about 11 p.m. the same night that Frederick Joseph Kneebone, an insurance clerk, was contemplating catching the 11 p.m. ferry for North Shore. He lives at Takapuna and he walked along to the vehicular ferrj to see if any motor-cars were going over owned by people he knew. ! This Avas about 10.30 p.m. He loitered around, lookinsr at a launch al the Albert Wharf, when a man, whom he alleged was Siddens, enme up anc spoke to him, and asked for a cigarette. When near the old city market site he was accosted by McKenna, who alsc