In Court
p. 132 · Read in the full issue
More Than 600 In Court
By March 5 convictions had be© recorded against 588 Buka natives oi various charges following the ta: troubles, and it was expected tha more charges would be laid.
Madang Magistrate R. OrmsM sitting at Sohano, convicted am gaoled or fined 306 natives for riotou behaviour, 272 for obstructing police eight for evading tax, and two fo escaping from custody.
Of the 306 convicted for riotou behaviour, 170 were sentenced to si: months, 10 were sentenced to tw months, 78 were sentenced to on month, and 48 were fined £5.
Of those convicted for obstructini police, 167 were sentenced to thre months and one to one month, am 104 were fined £l.
The eight convicted of tax evasioi were fined 10/- each.
The two men who were charge! with having escaped from polio custody were village leaders a Hahalis. John Teosin, was sentence! to four months, and Sawa to si: months.
All told, Mr. Ormsby heard a tota of 636 cases during a six-day hear ing. He found 44 not guilty o riotious behaviour or obstructinj police. Four charges were withdraw! by police.