PEURILE PROSECUTION.

NZ Truth, Issue 62, 25 August 1906, Page 5

PEURILE PROSECUTION.

A CRIME TO BE ALIVE ON SUNDAY

In this Chadband-Cursed Country.

Popularly known as "The Holy City" the township of -Cobden, opposite Grey-mouth, has developed . a • peculiar method of living up to its •reputation. It boasts a skating rink, the owner whereof is one Skeates, employed at the Railway Workshops, and he was called upon at • the Grey-mouth-Magistrate's Court on August 13 to answer a charge under section 16 of the Police Offences Act of having, on Sunday, August sth, allowed skating to be indulged m within his hall. The section, of course, does not say anything about rbller-skating but is to the effect that "Any person, who, on Sunday, m, or m view of a public place" carries on his usual avocation or .business commits an offence.' Two constables wended their way to Cobden on August 5, and on approaching Skeates 's hall they heard the continuous roar that indicates that the roller-skater is having a good time. It was. three o'clock m the afternoon and when the constables looked inside the hall they discovered fifteen or sixteen young fellows careering round as if they were enjoying , it. They found the boss m one. of the ante-rooms and be kindly informed them that he gave the Mall free on Sundays to his. week day patrons who paid a shilling per night for admission and sixpence for skates. The constables explained to the Bench that the -front door of the hall was shut, entrance- being effected from the rear so that no one could see the seating from the street, though the*-" could not escape hearing it. One of our law-makers, Mr Guinness, appeared for the alleged lawbreaker, and contended that as the alleged offence was not committed "m the public view" no offence had been committed. His Worship wasn't so sure about this and remarked that he would- suspend judgment till he had overhauled thp authorities and ascertained what they had to sa^ on the point of "-in the public view." So the giddy Sunday skater can continue, if he likes, to gyrate joyfully for a littfe while longer.