HOW TO READ THE RIOT ACT.

Shannon News, 4 September 1928, Page 3

HOW TO READ THE RIOT ACT.

"I wonder how many of you Justices know how to act in the case of a real riot," remarked Mr C. R. OrrWalker, S.M., at a gathering of Justices of the Peace in Timaru, "Fortunately such an event is of the rarest in New Zealand, but if at any time there is an assembly of twelve or more people riotously disturbing the public peace, it is the duty of 6very Justice who has notice of it to proceed to the place and get amongst the rioters, or as near to them as he can safely come, and Avith a loud voice command 'silemce,' and after that with a loud voice to make, or cause to be made, a proclamation in thesjo! wordier 'Our Sovereign Lord the King charges and commands all persons being assembled to immediately disperse and peaceably to depart to their habitations or, to their lawful .business upon the pain, of being guilty of an offence on conviction of which they may be sentenced to imprisonment- with hard labour for life. God save the King.' I suppose our,wives would echo, 'God save our husbands.' This is one of the risks a Justice runs- in his office, but I presume none of you will retire on this account. Of course, now we have a lady Justice, I suppose it is a fair thing to let her do the job. A Justice who fails in his duty is liable to two years imprisonment, so if the occasion arises a Justice's wife will have to decide between holding him back at the risk of his being imprisoned for -two years or letting him go to a possible death."