SUPPRESSING OPEN-AIR PREACHERS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2312, 14 August 1880, Page 2

SUPPRESSING OPEN-AIR PREACHERS.

Some excitement was recently caused on the Melbourne wharf one Sunday, through the attempt of two policemen to stop the theological and political discussions which, it is customary to hold there every Sunday morning and afternoon. The constables lirst cautioned a number of well-known freethinkers and stump orators, and on their refusal to remove, took down a few of their names, apparently with the intention of prosecuting. An excitable and persistent preacher of the Gospel, who is a constant attendant on the wharf, was the next to be warned, and thinking discretion the better part of valour,at once desisted,and left the scene. When the police endeavored to stop Kinder’s baud of singers and preachers from further proceeding, however, they met with stubborn opposition. The band struck up a hymn, and this being taken up by the crowd, the constables were fairly beaten. Mr Cole, a citj' missionary, then made a speech in vindication of the right to preach the Gospel on the wharf, and the representatives of the law refrained from their attempt to stop the proceedings. The object of the police was understood to be to clear a passage for the large number of persons who promenade the wharf on Suudavs.