OPUNAKE LYNCHING CASE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8909, 31 August 1907, Page 2

OPUNAKE LYNCHING CASE.

Accused Before the Court. Per Press Association. New Plymouth, August 30. The recent tarring aud feathering incident at Opunake was investigated at the S.M. Court to-day, when 8 Opunake residents were arraigned on charges that on the 3rd August they did together with divers other persons to the number of 20 or more cause and take part iu an unlawful assembly being an indictable offence. The principal police witness was Herman Edward Hill, tho victim, who described in detail his treatment by the mob.

Mrs Lister and her daughter with whom Hill lodged (tho alleged circumstances of which lodging, it is understood, had been tho reason which prompted the incident) also gave evidence. Defendants’ counsel, Mr Spence, submitted that the police had failed to adduce evidence of unlawful assembly, but the Magistrate held that a prima facie case had been made oat. Accused reserved their defence.

In fixing bail, the Magistrate romaiked tint this was a serious affair and the first occurrence of the kind, ho thought, in tho colony.. Had Hill been delicate tho consequence might have been grave and accused arraigned on a far more serious charge. Bail, £oo each, in their own recognisances and another surety of J 825 each was immediately forthcoming.