SEQUEL TO CHURCH SCENE

Chronicle (Levin), 17 February 1947, Page 2

SEQUEL TO CHURCH SCENE

Received Hunday, 7 p.m. LONUON, Feb. 14. Tlie Rev. Wilfred St. Clair Tavlor timi Alattliew Arno 1(1 Perkins, respecTively general (lirector and organining secretary of the National Union ot Protestants, were bound over at Bow Street Police Court today on charges arising from an ineident at St. Alary U Strand Ch.urch on Januarv ;H). Tln cliarge against Taylor was wilful oi) struction of tlie highway. Both weri charged with using insuiting words anu behaviour. A ciiarge against Taylor n> "motesting, disturbing and trouiding a preacher" was withdrawn. The magistrate said: "1 tliink it i.damnable to see two gentle..ien like these of tlie highest probity, purity and character moved by deep religipus -onvictions sitting in that do'ck wnich wa.not desigiied t'or them." Two policemen led away the Rev. W St. Clair Taylor, general secretary or the National Union of Protestants, fiom St. Alary le Strand t'hurch following u demonstration at tlie chureh door dur ing High Alass and a sermou liy th. Bishop of Oxford, the Right Rev. K. U Kirk. Several nieinbers of the Pro testant Upioii claimed they had been refused admission to the cluirch. The demonstration began when -tli • service had been in progress for ha! au hour. Mr. Al. A. Perkins, organisiit;; secretary of the uniou, shouteci severn, times: "I claim legal right to attem. this cliurch. " A clergynian in the dooi way asked liim to leave but Alr. Perkiu.; shouted: "I refuse to go. " Two policemen then came to th doorvvav and there followed slioming and scuffliug in which Alr. Taylor am. Alr. Perkins took part. Other Protestant Union members joined in and Mr Perkins- was hustled outside, where he began to address a crowd at ihe chureh railings. Alr. Perkins shouted: " Why dou't tlie clergy and bishops prosecute' We have an illegal Romaii Oatliolic Alass being celebrated. " Alr. Taylor, addressing a crowd from the chureh steps, said: "We are lighr ing for freeilom of religiou. This is n Protestant (Jhurch of Englaml and these people are Romanising it." The police then led him away.

WEDDING BELLS

- BAYNE— FLETCHER The wedding was solemnised recently at St. Mary's Chureh, Otaki, of Gwendoline Margaret, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Bayne, Otaki, to Allan James, son of Mr. and the late Mrs. Fletcher, Bluff. R6v. Father Reader officiathd. The bride, who entered the chureh on the arm of he'r brother-in-law, Mr. S. Williams, wore powder blue crepe with navy iccessories. Mrs. S. Williams, -sister of the bride, wore shell pink crepe with white accessories. Both wore shoulder sprays - of p'ink carnations and maidenhair fern. Mr. E. Thomas, of Levin, acted as oestman. -Afterwards friends and relatives gathered at a reception, held at the residence of the bride's parents in Kirk Street. •