STREET ORATORS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2972, 9 January 1917, Page 6

STREET ORATORS

■ CHARGED WITH IMPEDING :■■■ < . TRAFFIC. j In tho Magistrate's Court yesterday .norning, beforeJJr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., Kevin Byrne pleadednot guilty to three charges of inducing crowds to congregate in, the street and so impede, the.traffic. '-. - . The first of' the charges referred , to a. meeting held in Clyde Quay under 'tho auspices of the Anti-Conscription League. The police evidence was that ; tho accused had presided over the meet- ■ ing, -which had lasted about 35 minutes, and had caused an obstriic- -" tion. Asked whether he had a permit, the accused had admitted that lie had not. Ho hsd also admitted knowing the law on the subject. In answer to-questions by Byrne, Senior _ Sergeant Willis said that the meeting was not of such a nature thatif he had attempted to disperse it he would have had reason to anticipate a Tiot. .- Sergeant M'Kelvie stated that the crowd round the accused, must have comprised about 250 people. -.', •; . • Questioned by tho accused, the witness said that other meetings had often been held on the-same spot.- On this occasion, the/ footpath was crowded—even more than any Other part. - Constablo Black , , •, in. his , evidence, said he had not seen any vehicles actunlly impeded, but-;he considered there certainly was an obstruction.' ; At this stage the proceedings were adjourned till Friday^ Bail was allowed in .the amount of. £25, with one surety-of £25, Byrne undertaking that ho would hold no further street meetings pendiug decision, of-the case. - - • • Two;similar charges against John Loughf&ir were adjourned till the same . date, .oil a similar -understanding.. Bail in -the same amount was allowed.