The Milton Salvationists in Court.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 3082, 19 September 1893, Page 3

The Milton Salvationists in Court.

[pee press association]

Dunepin, September 1, ' At Milton to-day before Mr Hawkins, R.M., John Keen (butcher), James Keen (laborer), A^exwder McVickar (laborer), James M. Fountain (confectioner), George Ashmore (labourer), Edward Bugden (labourer), and Frank Matthews (Salvation Army officer), were charged -with unlawfully taking part in a procession on September 10 in the borough of Milton without having previously obtained permission from the Borough Council, contrary 'to sectiqn 50 of by-law 2. Defendants were unrepresented. Matthews, McVickar and the Keens were further charged with playing instruments on the same date. Matthews contended that the by-law was unfair and unreasonable, and relied on a decision given by the Chief Justice in England. His Worship said that the decision of the Chief Justice had been held expressly wrong on appeal. Ho (Mr Hawkins) was in duty bound to convict on the evidence, but as tr.e Governor's clemency in a previous ease may h«« the defendants to th[nv nafc fc - hey could d.Cfy the law, he would make the penalties low. Matthews, as a man in authority, and Joh,n Keen, previously convicted, would be fined 20a or fourteen days, the others 5s or seven days, on the procession charges, and on the second information Matthews and Keen would be fined 20s each, or fourteen days, the others 5a each or seven days, the terms of imprisonment in default of payment to be concurrent.