TARRING AND FEATHERING INCIDENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8524, 31 August 1907, Page 6

TARRING AND FEATHERING INCIDENT.

By Telegraph—Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, August 30. The recent tarring and feathering incident at Opunake was investigated at the S.M. Court here to-day, when eight Opunake residents were arraigned on a charge that on August 3rd they did together with divers ether persons to the number of, twenty or more cause and take part in an unlawful assembly, being an indictable offence. The principal police witness was Herman Edward Hill, the victim, VTho described in detail the treatment he received at the hands of the mob. A married woman and her daughter, with whom Hill lodged (the alleged circumstances of which lodging it is understood had been the reason for prompting the incident) also gave evidence. Defendant's counsel (Mr Spence) submitted that the police failed to adduce evidence of an unlawful assembly, bui the Magistrate held that a prima facie case had been made out. The accused reserve:! their defence. In fixing bail the Magistrate remarked that this was a serious affair and the first happening of its kind, he thought, in the colony. Had Hill been delicate the consequence might have been grave, and accused arraigned on a far more serious charge.