AN INDISCREET EVANGELIST

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3763, 20 April 1907, Page 3

AN INDISCREET EVANGELIST

Fined for (Closing A Girl. Ashburton, April 19 During the past week much interest has been taken in a case affecting an evangelist who fully six weeks has been conducting religious services here in what was known as the Hamilton-Garmong mission. The case was heard at the Police to-day, when O. E. Hamilton was charged before two Justices with having, on March 22nd, at the house of a married woman named Eouisa Nesbit, committed an unlawful assault. It was alleged that defendant went to the house of the complainant, and without her consent placed an arm round her waist and kissed her. Defendant absolutely denied the accusation, and callled John Galt, Mayor ofMataura, and the Rev. W. J. Hastie, of Dunedin, to give evidence as to his character. In giving judgement the*Bench said : — 11 The case is for an assault. The question of the moral character of plaintiff has nothing to do with the case. Mrs Nesbit gave her evidence in a straight-forward way, and it was not shaken by cross-examination, and there is corroborative evidence. That evidence has not been shaken at all. The defence evidently attaches weight to the point that there has been a conspiracy among the four witnesses who gave evidence for the prosecution. We find evidence of no such alleged conspiracy. The sanctity of the home must be protected, and we are of opinion than an assault took place, and we fine defendant £$ and costs.” .

Counsel for defendant asked leave for a rehearing and appeal, owing to the prominent position occu pied by the defendant.