Annoying the Salvation Army.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 314, 20 June 1889, Page 2

Annoying the Salvation Army.

Fob some time past the meetings of the Salvation Army have been greatly disturbed by the antics of a few larrikins who attend the meetings in the Barracks with no other object in view than creating a disturbance. The officers have borne patiently with the treatment they received, and have repeatedly cautioned these lads, but without avail, and as a last resource they had to bring the matter under the notice of the police, with the result that two lads, Hugh and Donald Ross, were brought before Mr Booth yesterday morning, charged with disturbing the meeting on Saturday night lest, From tha evidence of Ernest Burton, cadet, it appears that the defendant*, in company with (eyaral other lads, attended the meeting on Saturday night, and from their conduct in th* Barracks the meeting had to be closed. The Ross's were passing remarks oo the various speakers and he asked them either to stop talking or leave the building, which they did not do and in consequence he had to take these steps. B. Boyle and W. Stucky were called, and corroborated the evidence of the previous witness. Boyle stated it was a common practice for young lads to misbehave themselves at the meetings, He bad repeatedly cautioned them but without effect, Three young men were called for the defence; one A. Wad*, was making a long statement, but be we* interruped by Mr Booth, who remarked that it was quite clear the witness knew nothing whatever about the charge and that hi* evidence waa not of much value tor the defence. Thomas Howarth was the next witnsss, and stated that he considered the defendants behaved themselves in a proper manner and did not In any way dis. turn th* meeting, and farther that »* remark* had been passed by the speaker* a* waa alleged by the first witness, Harry Miller deposed that he was present when ths Cadet and Hugh Rosa were talking the matter over on the previous evening. Ho heard the former say that be would like to hush up the case but was unable to do so, as most of tha ” soldiers " would leave if th* case did not come before the Court. Rose at the same tim« Owned to singing rather loudly. In cross-examination l«y the Cadet the witness said he bad never seen the notice over ths door to the effect that persona could not either leave or enter the building unless during the singing. He did not hear Boss say ho was sorry it had gone so tar, and that if the Cadet would withdraw the information he (Roes) would pay all the expenses. Mr Booth remiarkad that it was a pity witness did not hear such 1 a statement. Thia having concluded ths case, H. Rqassgid he did not like the case to come before the Court, as whan the papers got hold of anything against the Rosa's they made it appear worse than it really was. Mr Booth said there waa conclusiveproof that the defendants had created a disturbance, and ha was sorry to see young men having their names bandied about for causing a disturbance in a place of worship. No person was obliged to attend the meeting of the Salvation Army, and people who oould not conduct themselves properly should stay away. Witnesses had been called who triad to screen the defendant*, but one admitted laughing and the other had beard talking going on, If lads wanted enjoyment there were other places to go to. The meetings could not be broken up through the acta of i two or three senseless young men, and he I would fine the defendants £1 each and coats I 7s. The fines were immediately paid. 1