RIOT AT TIMARU

Southland Times, Issue 18818, 11 May 1920, Page 5

RIOT AT TIMARU

CHINAMEN’S SHOPS WRECKED. COURT PROCEEDINGS. (Per United Press Association.) TIMARU, May 10. On Saturday night, April 17, the shop windows of three Chinese fruiterers were smashed by or in the presence of a considerable crowd, and much damage was done within two of the sh<?ps. The action was favoured by darkness, there being no street lights owing to the electric light plant being out of order. Four young men and three boys appeared on several charges arising out of the affair. The men, Antony Howley, Henry Shaw, Kenneth Ncwlaads and David Millar, were first charged with wilful damage estimated at £66 13s 6d at the shop of Willie Young and Co., with throwing missiles to the danger of the pubic, and with threatening behaviour with intent to cause a breach of the peace. Howley was also charged with assaulting one of the Chinamen. On the application of counsel for the defendants the charges were taken separately against each defendant, and the case against Howley was first taken. A Chinese interpreter from Wellington assisted the Court. The principal witnesses were two women customers, who deposed that Howley started the disturbance by pulling over a bag of onions at the door, and others then threw the onions at the Chinamen, who went cut to pick them up, and at the window. Stones were also thrown, breaking the window. There was no disturbance till the onions were pulled over, someone having tied a string to the bag for the purpose. Howley was committed for trial, bail being fixed at £25. The case against Shaw was dismissed without prejudice, and the other cases were adjourned till Thursday.