SERVICE DISTURBED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 520, 2 May 1933, Page 6

SERVICE DISTURBED

v MAORI HOOLIGAN FLICKED PAPER AND TALKED LOUDLY IN CHURCH TE WHAITI CO'MPLAINTS Expressing the opdnion that the work of the missionaries amongist the Maoris was hard enough without being hindered by the disgraceful behaviour of bands of youths such as the defendant, Senior-Sergeant Carroll brought a young Maori Aukatina Waitohi, before Mr. S. L. Paterson, S.M., in the 'Rotorua Court yesterday on a charge of disturbing a religious service, Defendant pleaded not guilty. Some difficulty was experienced an finding an interpreter and th'e court adjourned for one to be found. Senior-Sergeant Carroll said that on March 26 a service was being conducted in the Presbyterian Hall at Te Whaiti and interruptions were caused by the shuffling of feet, hymn books being torn and paper being flicked at other members of the con•gregation. John Alexander Lloyd Carter, Presbyterian missionary at Te Whaiti, gave evidence th'at he was conducting a service in English. Defendant was in the back seat and during the prayer, defendant tallced loudly and shuffled his feet. • After the service, witness found two hymn books torn and wads of paper on the floor. A lady complained that she had been hit by wads of paper., A cigarette butt and matches were also found where defendant had sat. Number of Complaints

Parishioners had compiained that this had been going on for some time and had threatened to leave the church. Previous complaints of this youth's behaviour had been made by the deaconess. Orange peel had been thrown at the organist and it had been necessary to abandon the sessions of a children's club.

Defendant's Evidence Defendant elected to give evidence and said that there were four young men in the mission house at the time referred to. A friend alongside him got hold of one of the books, tore it, ■and threw it at Miss Watson. As to the shuffling "of the feet, he knew nothing about that or the cigarette butts.

To the Senior-Sergeant : ne was uways quiet in church and gave no cause for complaint that evening. He saw another man tearing up the hymn books and flicking paper about. He denied the evidence of Mr. Carter in toto. He admitted serving six months for theft from a store, but denied being the leader of all the hooliganism in the district. The Bench' warned accused that ifhe went to church he must behave himself or he would be brought before the Court. He would be fined £3 and costs £2 5s 6d, a week being allowed to pay. If he came before the court agaan he would be much more severely dealt with.