A SALVATION ARMY NUISANCE.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 86, 24 January 1885, Page 3

A SALVATION ARMY NUISANCE.

Blenheim, Jan. 20. 1 i Lieut. Teasdale and seven members of the Salvation Army were charged yesterday morning, in the Resident Magistrate's Court, on the information of tho local manager of tho Bank of New Zealand, witn obstructing the Market Place, by holding a meeting on the afternoon of Sunday, 4th instant. A second information charges Baker, Secretary of the Army, and resident in Wellington, though recently on a visit to Blenheim, with wantonly annoying the informant by beating a big drum in front of his residence in Market Place. At the meetings which have been recently held in the centre of the thoroughfare, opposite complainants houso, tho standard-bearer stood in tho centre, and the soldiers marched round and round him in a circle with accompaniment of drum, cornet, and flutes. It U alleged that vehicles and pedestrians woro prevented from passing along in tho ordinary way through tho Army collecting a crowd variously estimated at from 200 to 500. The ca&e excited great interest. A large number of witnesses for tho defendants marched down to the Court singing a hymn, and on entering knelt down on the floor of the Courthouso and prayed for divine guidance on all concerned. The defence was that no obstruction was caused. Later. The charge of obstruction against the Salvation Army was dismissed. The Court consisting of Mr Allen, R.M., and Mr Douslin, J.P., held that the weight of cv dence was against the meeting having obstructed the Market Square, and that com plainant's remedy for the matters he complained of was by indictment for a nuisance. Complainant was ordered to pay Court costs only. His counsel gave notice of appeal on the ground that there was evidence of logal obstruction, and that the Bonch was bound to convict. Complainant's witnesses estimatod the crowd at lrom 200 to 500, but professional evidence showed that the square would hold 3 0,000 in close column and 4,000 in loose order. It was proved also that vehicles could drive round the crowd, and that traps were at a standstill becauso the occupants were listening to the Army service. Tho information against Mr Baker. Secretary, for wantonly disturbing Mr Fildes, by beating tho big drum, has been postponed till next Monday. Complainauc odbiod to withdraw it, but the Army declined to accept, the withdrawal, as they wish to test the question.