RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1188, 20 December 1883, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Temuka—Tuesday, Dec, 18,1883. TBefore D. In wood and I<\ H. Barker. Esq's., J.Fs.] DISTURBING THE SALVATION ARMY. Michael Scannell was charged on the information 'of Reuben Smith, Captain of the Salvation Army, with having disturbed a meeting held for religious purposes in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, on Wednesday December, 12. The defendant pleaded not guilty. Reuben . Smith stated that on the evening of the day mentioned in the information some people were disturbing the meeting. He asked somebody to take notice of those who were creating the disturbance, and defendant stood up and said "Here he is," pointing to himself. Witness said he would deal with him in another way. He was continually disturbing the meeting by exclaiming "How do you know," and other exclamations.

Defendant: Have you not told people they were going to hell ? Witness ; No. All those that .were not in the fold of Jesus, I said. ~ -• Defendant ; Were there not others moving noises besides me ? Witness;; Yes, but your past conduct——-:; ' ■* Defendant: Did not some man stand up and fling his arms round and commence to excla'" l ? Witness : Yes, but he quoted passages from Scripture. . Defendant : What passages ? Witness: Passages front the Lamentations of Jeremiah, if you wish-lo k now. Defendant : Ho had a very queer manner about him that made everyone laugh,; George Gibbs stated that he was present and that he heard defendant passing remarks. One time he would sing out “ I am coming” and then say “ No I won’t,” and make people laugh. He appeared to be only larking, without any evil intentions. Defendant: Wasn’t Smith asking everyone to come ? Witness : Yes, you said you were coming, and then said you wouldn’t go,

Defendant: Have you Been any one else disturbing the meeting besides me ? Witness: Yet*. A great many, and more than you did. I was not there the night the man took his daughter away from the penitent table. Constable Burke said he wn present. There were others disturbing, 'out not so continually as defendant. The meetings are generally orderly for Salvation meetings. The.defendant said the fact was they were all enjoying themselves, and he had no intention of doing anything more than put in a word like anyone else. Captain Smith said he did not wish to press the charge against him. It was not their policy to bring anyone to Court, if they could avoid it. The defendant paid he would ask for no concessions. If he was found guilty, he would abide by the consequence, The Bench said it was a case of larrikinism. The man who bird the hall was entitled to protection. The defendant would be fined 10s and costs, and the Bench hoped it would be a warning to others. CIVIL CASES. W. Ackroyd v W. Wyatt--01aim 10s 46V The defendant disputed the account on the ground that he was three days acting as bail;® for plaintiff, and he only got paid for two. George Bolton, clerk in the employment of the plaintiff, stated that the defendant had only acted two days as bailiff, and that he had left without authority, causing the goods to be lost to the plaintiff. Judgment was given for the amount claimed and costs, the Bench stating that the defendant had his remedy by suing plaintiff, if he considered he was entitled to three days' wages. The Court then adjourned.