AN INVERCARGILL HAPPENING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3224, 22 May 1911, Page 5

AN INVERCARGILL HAPPENING.

ALLEGED DISGRACEFUL. CAROUSAL. VIEWS OF ACTING-MINISTER FOR JUSTICE. [PIR PRESEI ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, May 21. Questioned by a *New Zealand M lines’ representative concerning an alleged disgraceful carousal in the Park Reserve at Invercargill on a recent Saturday night and Sunday, the. Hon. G.F OA\ r ld!&, Acting-Minister of Justice, said that from reports lie Iliad received he was of opinion that the published accounts gave an exaggerated account of Avliat had occurred'. “It appeared from' these reports, said the Minister, “that one individual purchased an 18-gallon keg of beer and Avith some companions took it into the ShoAV grounds and being joined by some other persons the beer was consumed'. The night being wet some of the party remained all night ,in the shelter of some buildings on the ground. The place in question is outside the boundaries of the borough of Invercargill proper, is fenced with a close boarded fence, and is separated from a public street by a considerable space and a belt of trees.

“There is no suggestion,” continued Mr FoAvlde, “that residents'of the. vicinity or the general public Avere annoyed by or saAV anything of AA-hat Avas going on. The occurrence is very regrettable, and reflects discredit on those concerned in it; but I think it only fair to tlie citizens of Invercargill and police to say that there was no disturbance; that the drinking took place in a secluded spot out of fhe town, and that so far as can be gathered no breach of the law took place.”