Using Obscene Language

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4400, 20 April 1909, Page 2

Using Obscene Language

TWO MONTHS HARD

At the Te Aroha Police Court yesterday morning, before Messrs Thos. Gavin and Capt. Montgomery, J’s.P., a young man named James Smith was charged on the information of Constable Mackle, with using obscene language and committing an’assault in Whitaker-street, opposite Messrs Johnson and Gwillim’s stables, on Saturday evening last. The defendant pleaded “ guilty ” to both charges.

Evidence was called as to the nature of the language, which was of a disgustingly lurid sort.

Constable 'Mackle stated that Smith arrived in the district about three weeks ago, and since when he had been emoloyed on the Piako drainage works. On the evening in question the street’ was fairly 4 well filled with both men, women and children, and the swearing and cursing of accused could be heard some distance off. While in the cell the language used was something vile, in fact he (the Constable) had never heard worse.

The Bench fined accused £5 or a month’s imprisonmedt on each charge, to run concurrent. The Bench expressed regret that a young man should sink so low as to use the language complained of. It was degrading, nothing more so, especially in the presence of women and children. They pointed out that It was just as easy—in fact easier—for a man to be a gentleman as a blackguard.