RIOT TRIAL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 233, 25 May 1932, Page 5

RIOT TRIAL

(Press Assn.

public interest women crowd body of auckland supreme * court TAXI DRIVER'S EVIDENCE

— By Telegraph— Copyrlght).

AUCKLAND, Tuesday. Sueh good progress was made today with the hearing of evidenee against the 14 men aceused of taking part in the rioting inJ the- city on the night of April 14, that when the Supreme Court adjourned for the day, the CrOWn's 50th Witness was in the box. His cross-examination will be taken when the Court resumes tomorrow, and it is understood that the Crown will eall only one further witness. The cases are being heard together before Mr. Justice Herdman and a jury. Considerable public interest continues to be evinced in the pro-

ceedings, a large percentage being women, who filled the body of the Court. It is considered that the trial will last at least two more days. Evidenee of Police The bulk of the evidenee- to-day was given by detectives and constables, who described the rioting outside the Town Hall and the looting in Queen Street, and the attempt made by some of tbe unemployed in the procession to upset a taxi cab. Looting was going on wholesale, and wheri a window was smashed, it was greeted with cheers, said a constable, describing the scerses in Queen Street. Evidenee that he had been called to the Royal Garage in Park Road about 8.40 p.m. was given by Cyril Withell, a taxi driver. He found that his fare had a bandaged head. When he was instructed to drive the man to the Town Hall, witness said, "You don't expect me to drive there." The man replied, "I'm Jini Edwards, and while I'm with you, you are the safest man in Auckland.'' Drive to Town Hall Witness accepted that assurance and drove Edwards to the fringe of the crowd at the Town Hall. Edwards addressed a man there by his Christian name, anVI asked how things were going, and said he would be back iri ten minutes. Witness said he then drove Edwards to the latter's home in Manning Street. Edwards and his wife were driven back to tbe Town .Hall. Mrs Edwards tried to dissuade her husband from getting out at the Town Hall, as she thought there was a chance of his being arrested. Edwards said, he did not want to be thought a coward. '' 'I'm not going to the 'cooler' tonight and I want a dozen men to picket my house,' he said." The hearing will be continued tomorrow.