EVANGELIST HECKLED.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5106, 28 March 1927, Page 2

EVANGELIST HECKLED.

HOSTILE CROWD. BARRAGE AT TEMUKA. All is not well with the sect known as the Pentecosts, which holds street meetings in Temuka every Saturday evening (says a Temuka. correspondent o'f the Christchurch Sun). A recent occurrence has caused bad feeling against the sect here, and on Saturday evening, when the adherents began their meeting, it was evident that there was trouble browing for someone. In a very short space of time some hundreds of people of both sexes, old and not so phi, had gathered at the corner of Commerce and King Streets, where the sect holds its meetings.

The evangelist, Mr F. R. Wilson, stepped into the ring to deliver his address, and opened by expressing his pleasure at the large gallery that was in attendance.. . Instead o'f applause he met with boos and catcalls. Nothing daunted, Mr Wilson stuck to his guns, and attempted .to speak. His efforts were received with more catcalls and noises o'f disapproval. The crowd laughed long and loudly, and his words were inaudible. But worse was to follow, for he had to face the barrage in going over the top. The bombbardment was opened with a few small shells in the form o'f rather ancient eggs, and very squashy decrepid tomatoes. The intensity of the barrage increased, and the police sergeant went over to counsel the evangelist. He prepared to evacuate the position and the party proceeded to pack up its street organ and prepare for the march. Then the heavies started, and fruit of various descriptions, crackers, and vegetables burst among the Pentecosts. The evacuation, however, was made in safety.

In the evening the crowd ®nd the Pentecosts assembled once mare, but the demonstration was more forcible. The Pentecosts were followed into their meeting-house, where the mob continued its noise and the barrage. Worship was out of the question, and the meeting broke up in disorder. Toe rank and file escaped scathless, but the evangelist had to have, police protection from the crowd, which broke a window in the hall.