SERIOUS CHARGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 5, 19 January 1942, Page 5

SERIOUS CHARGE

MAORI SENT TO GAOL

OBSCENE LANGUAGE USED IN THEATRE

That there had been manycomplaints of similar behaviour in the Te Teka Picture Hall was stated! by Sergeant M. Farrell in the local court on< Friday when he prosecuted William Gardener, a Native:, for using obscene language) and also with threatening behaviour in a public place. In view of the number of complaints he asked that the man be firmly dealt with.

The accused pleaded not guilty lo the charge of threatening behaviour and guilty toi the other charge. The: police .therefore withdrew the minor count and stated that on December 27 Gardener had taken seats previously occupied by Henry Jacltson, Mrs Jackson and two others. Although it had been polite.ly pointed out that the scats were taken and accused had adopted a threatening attitude and used obscene language and caused a very unpleasant scene in the Tc 'i eko Picture Hall. Gardener was sentenced to one month in the Whakatane gaolPetty Thefts Prevalent When prosecuting .Tack Hunia, another native, for the theft of a saddle, the property of J. H. Bonn, Sergeant Farrell stated that there had been an epidemic of petty thefts lately this being particularly bad in the Tc Toko district.

The bench also took a serious view of this case and Hunia Avas sent to gaol for one month.

Messrs J. G. Mulholland and G R. Kent, J's.P. presided.