SALVATION ARMY NUISANCE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3028, 10 December 1891, Page 2

SALVATION ARMY NUISANCE.

Duiuni; the last few days a petition, the full text of which is (riven furt her on, was signed by the principal business peoplo in Victoria-street, Hamilton, praying the Borough Council I i take some steps to abate the nuisance caused by the Salvation Armv. This wa< presented at a meeting of the Hamilton B'iMugn Council on Tuesday evening by Cr. Tippen. The petition is as follows :—Hamilton, December 3rd, 1S!I1.~ Tii His Worship the Mayor and Borough Councillors of Hamilton.—Sirs, —We, the undersigned burgesses, residing in or carrying on business in Victoria-street, would respectfully request you to take some steps *i abate a nuisance which we havo had to endure for many months pa<:t, namely, the open-air or street services of the " Salvation Army" in our main thoroughfare. The danger to the public travelling on horseback or driving is very considerable, owing to the powerful way in which the drum is beaten, and the blaring of the other instruments, to say nothing of the torches. Again, the crowding of the footpath obstructs the same for traffic, often causing ladies to go on to the roadway to pass on their way. The nuisance interferes considerably with our business ; no other assemblage would he allowed to parade the streets and make themselves so objectionable to the public, and we see no reason vvhy this body should be allowed to do so. Trusting that the matter will receive your earl v consideration, —We remain, yours faithfully, C. Tippen, Lewis O'Neill, John Knox, .T. Sarah Gwynne. Willi wu Tavlor, K. T. ©avey, J. S. Kdgpcumbp, H. Howden, Thos. M. Hill, Andrew Johnston, Henry L. tfooper, Geo. 0. Manning, Wilfred Murch, P. Bright, T. G. Sandes, George W. Sare, C. L. Sutton, T. Qualtrnugli, Jno. Bettley, J. McNico].—ln presenting the petition, Cr. Tippen said he would leave it in the hands of the Council. It was quite time some steps were taken, as the Salvation Army was undoubtedly a nuisance.— Cr. Salmon said he had something very strong to say, and proposed that the Council go into committee, but no one seconded the proposal. He then proposed the following " That tins Council deeply sympathises with the prayer of this petition, and while lamenting the unfeeling callousness towards the sick and dying repeatedly shown by the disorderly shouting, trumpet blaring and drum hamturning; feel almost powerless to have the law applied as it would bo in any other case, but the .Salvation Arrny and can only again tak the police to simply do their duty and no more: and that this petition be referred to the legal committee to consult the police authorities, with a view to abite the eyil complained of in this petition." He said that the nuisance coin pi lined of was a great one and he rpferred to the incnn«id t■ita action of the Army towards those lying sick espp.cial'y mentioning the cases of Mr W. M. Hay, Mrs Sannderson and Mr A. BHiiht. Something --hould bo done t > put a stop to it, but he did not wish to pass an? oppressive measures. The offence e*me under the Police Offnnces Act and the police should act If two men came 0 t of any of the putilic-honses m iking a--much noiso as t.he Sal a.tion Army did "n the streets, thev wiuld vry quickly It 1 eked up. The Salvation A ,- my was o'ti -e in cnntrivention to the peace of Hr Ma.iasty : s subjei-ts.—Cr. Raid said he did not like the 6lur cast on tho police, as under t.he present laws they have uo power to prevent the nuisance or they would very promptly do so.—Cr. Sa.ndes, in seconding Cr. Salmon's motion said lie did not agree with the whole of it, but he agreed with the prayer of the petition. The scene in Vic-toria-street on last Saturday night week while the Salvation Army were conducting their services was one that batlled description, resembling as it did, pandemonium let lcoee. On the Sunday following the SalVtttion Army interfered with the serTices in other places of worship, playing up the main street past St. P9ter's Church ten minutes after tho serricu had commenced. Thoy did almost the same thing last Sunday evening, playing about tho streets afler serrice had commenced in the various churches to the annoy.'.nce of the congregations. If the C >uncil had any power to make u by-law or take action under the Police Offenco3 Act,some such steps should be taken at once, If there was a law they should apply it fearlessly, without fear or fav our. Ite considered himself a liberal minded man, and woull allow everyone to have his own opinion, bnt 110 one should be allowed to annoy others with his opinions. He liked music and especially a brass band, but lie did object to hearing a lot of brass instruments bluwn into by a lot of asses. He difl not wholly concur with the motion as at present, but hoped it would be altered to meet the case.—Cr. Parr sympathised with the motion. He was willing to grant) liberty to everybody, but the Salvation Army took too much license. The Council have a duty to those signing the petition—all of them being large contributors to the borough funds—and they should carry out that duty as far as the law allows. The Council have the power to pass a by-law to juppress the nuisance and they should do so. He did not wish it to be dona as a persecution as perhaps that might gain tho Salvation Army the notoriety they bid for. —Cr. Tippen said the Council should frame a by-law. If any accidents were caused thu Salvationists would not be prosecutod but if a mail's horse happened to gallop down the street the owner was immediately summoned. He said he know of many instances where people, ladies especia'ly, had bouu afraid to drive into liamiltpp o£ » '

nitrht; owing to the K-dw-ifioti Armv b»-mg ab »ut the «treei(Jn»* iif I Ik- police had told hitn that the Salvation Army had created mora larrikins in Ihunilton than there were over in it before He would like to see n by-law truond t(» stop the nuisance nr.t only in rent, but also in all tin; other in t.li" B n 'iimh, Ho referred tn the by the members, :»nd said that if anvmn' b('(rced about the won'd qnicldy be arrested as vagrant*.—Cr. K-id -viid ih i police had power l" si.op tin- bagging. After Homo further discission Cr, Silnmn with consent withdrew hi* nr-ti«»n and then moved the following: "Tha f . this Council deeply -ymp ithises with th»» pi iy<T of the petition and with a view to abate the imi.-tance complained of refer the petition to the L*»p:il Committee to consult their legal with refer"ncn to formulating a by-law, and thnt ihe Conneil ;iK its rising .idjourn till Wednesday, Hith inst., to receive the report of the commit tee. Seconded by Cr. Sanden and carried unjinirnounly.