A MILD RIOT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 271, 13 May 1912, Page 5

A MILD RIOT

Mr. A. Crooke. S.M., dealt with a series of cases at Opunake on Thursday last, which arose, according to Mr. Graf, who appeared for the police, as the resuit of a mild kind of riot at the Rahotu Hotel on April 13. Three young fellows were charged as follows:—Win. Morgan, with destroying a glass fanlight valued at £2, the property of George Emeny, with refusing to quit the Rahotu , Hotel when requested to do so, and with using abusive words in a public place, namely the bar of the Rahotu Hotel; Thomas Martin, with wilful damage to three doors, valued at £2, at Rahotu Hotel, and with using abusive language in the bar of the same hotel; Francis Rothery. with being abusive in the same hotel. Mr. Gray, in outlining the case, said that the whole trouble arose through one of the defendants (Morgan) being ordered off the premises and refused drink, the other defendants taking offence at the landlord's action. After hearing the evidence of Mr. Emeny and other witnesses His Worship convicted Morgan on the first charge, and fined him 20s and costs ( £2), and he was also ordered to pay the damage to the fanlight; in default 14 days' imprisonment with hard labor. The second charge was dismissed, and the third withdrawn. Thos. Martin was convicted on both charges. On the first ho was fined 20s and !)s costs, and also ordered to pay £2 Is, the cost of the damaged doors; in default 14 days' imprisonment, with hard labor. On the second charge he was fined 10b and 13s costs. The case against. Rothery was adjourned till > 3me 1.