HUNTLY SENSATION

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 238, 28 May 1932, Page 5

HUNTLY SENSATION

(Press Assn.-

lootlng of store sharp sentences imposed for incitjng to lawlessness 22 MEN BEFORE COURT

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

HAMILTON, Friday. The Huntly Magistrate's Court presented a scene of animation to-day, when 22 men, alleged to hav(e participated 'ini the raid upon t'he Farmers' Tracting Company's premises at Huntly on May 19, appeared before Mr. F. H. Levipn, SiM., charged with the theft qf groceries valued at £10. Five of the mert were further charged with inciting lawlessness. Five of the accused were Maoris, only one of the others being a eolonial. Considerable interest was taken in the proceedings hy a large gallery of spectators, none of whom were able to gain admission to the Court. Detective-Sergeant A. G. McHugh, Auckland, who prosecuted, explained that on the morning of May 19, a meeting was held in the Lyceum Theatre and as a result of the decision arrived at at that gathering, a Crowd of between 70 and 80 people | formed a procession and marched into the Farmers' Trading Company's premises. The manager, Mr. Northmore was requested by the leaders of the procession for credit to the extent of £50 which they asked to he charged up to the Wakato Hospital Board. This request was refused. A show of hands v/as then called for and the meii subsequently helped themselVes to groceries, ,a number filling sugar bags and other receptacles with goods. Five of the accused were charged with the theft of groceries to the valite of £10 and with inciting lawlessness, the remainder being charged With theft onlyv Pleas of not guilty were entered. Manager's Evidence The manager of the Huntly branch of the Farmers' Trading Company, William Henry Northmore, said a meeting was held i,n the Lyceum Theatre on the morning of May 19, dispersing at 12.5. After leaving his shop for lunch witness saw a procession about to enter his store. He (witness) followed the procession into his premises. "On entering the store I asked what the big idea was," said Witness. The leaders approaehed him and asked for credit to the exfcent of £50 to be charged to the Waikato Hospital Board. Witness told the men that such was not possible. He was told that the refusal was made at his own risk. There was general tallc of hunger and he (witness) appealed to the crowd, asking if any of their number were starving or hungry. He received no reply. He said that if anyone was hungry or starving they could leave their orders and he Would forward them groceries that afternoon. Witness made the suggestion that if they retired he would see the rest of the business community to see what could be done for them. One of the accused Swindells, agreed with the idea. Another of the accused, Richards said they would take the goods if the credit asked for was not granted, and Bincham made a similar threat. "For God's Sake Put Them Back" There was another man in the crowd who with Swindells agreed with witness' suggestion to hold the matter over until he could see what he could do. Bincham called for a show of hands and the men then commenced to help themselves. It was more or less a general melee. The majority stood looking on. Witness appealed to Bincham and Sterling, saying to the former, "For God's sake Joe, put the goods back, the laws of New Zealand will not allow that." Witness detailed the articles he saw Stirling take from the store shelves He took no notice of what the natives and a section of the looters took. Fullsr got behind the counter but was called back hy his wife. Prior to the looting witness remarked on the hospital relief work they had refused that day, telling them that they should be pleased to be working out in the glorious sunshine. Allen replied that they did not want work but sustenance. He saw only two of the accused, Stirling and Bincham take groceries from the store. Five parcels of goods had been anonymously returned. | No Violence ° Cross-examined witness said there was no suggestion of violence. Only groceries were taken, hardware and other goods being left alone. The approximte value of the goods stolen was £10 goods to the value of £2 10s being subsequently returned . Corroborative evidence was given hy members of the staff of the store and Auckland detectives gave evidence regarding interviews with the five accused of inciting. Counsel for this five men intimated that they would plead not guilty. The five men accused, Fuller Allen, Richards, Bincham and Stirling were each sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour on the charge of lawlessness. Each accused with the exception of Kinson, Swindells and Peden, was fined £10, in default one month's imprisonment on the theft charges. The information on the theft charges against Swindells, Kinson and Peden were dismissed.