GOULBURN CATHEDRAL DISPUTE.
POLICE COURT PROSECUTION.
CAPTAIN ROSSI COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.
The Police Courb at Goulburn was crammed to the doora recently in consequence of the second hearing of the case against Captain Rossi. Tbe information was practically the same as that laid before, viz., of unlawfully, wilfully and contemptuously disturbing a congregation lawfully assembled for divine worship. Mr Davis, prosecutor, deposed that he was a regular attendant! at the cathedral during lasb month. Captain Rossi had taken possession of tbe cathedral by introducing six or eight straugers. [Captain Rossi: "I had 13 altogether."] They refuted admission to tbe people and tried to turn out the people from the building. Witness went on to refer to incidents connected with tho alleged refusal of admission to the Primate, when Capbain Rossi interposed asking whab they had to do with the Primate, lie was charged with a certain offence, and tha court had nothing to do with primates, bishops, archbishops, or anyone else. The Bench presumed that the evidence was leading up to the case and allowed the witness to proceed. Witness continued thab it was on the day following this thab the alleged offence was committed. He was sitting in a front seat, facing the pulpib, the same as that occupied by Captain Rossi. The first part of bhe servico was prayer in the choir room and then the singing of a hymn. The choir were walking from the chancel into the cathedral when Captain Rossi left the seat and facing the congregation said something in a loud voice which the witness failed to catch beyond a word or two owinar to the singing. Tha officiating clergymen were not in their seats when Captain Rossi commenced, but were before he had finished. Whab Captain Rossi did caused some excitement and the congregation were disturbed. The Rev, A. T. Q'Reilly gave similar testimony. It waa usual to commence with a processional hymn, and especially in cathedrals. Witness did nob endeavour to hear what Captain Rossi said, as he looked upon it as a disturbance. He tried to throw all his mind on the service, but his attention was diverted from it. He was singing himself when Captain Rossi was speaking. He did not know where the Bishop and officiating clergy wero at the time. He did not notice any other disturbance. The service continued according to the usage of tho Cb»rch of England. In cross-examination the witness admitted that the service did nob commence in accordance with the prayer-book service of the Church of England. It could not commence according to the rubric, except by the minister reading certain words in the book of common prayer. The interruption took place before the servico actually commenced. In accordance with the rubric he did nob know whether the bishop, as ordinary, bad power to alter the service. He declined to answer the question, but to the beet of his belief the bishop could direct additions to tbe service ab any particular part of the service. In defence Thomas H. Hignett. English solicitor, said that he was present when tbe choir began to sing in the vestry, and as they came in in procession Captain Rossi stood up protesting in these words :—" Ao a trustee and churchwarden of St.Saviour'a Parish Church I protest against the Bishop ofGoulburn using this buildingasaCathedral only." Captain Rossi did nothing more, but quietly resumed hisseatand joined in the hymn. Everything waa done with the utmost decency.
J. W. Deering, district surveyor, gave evidence that there was no disturbance whatever and in his opinion the service had not commenced. The Rev. J. A. Newth said that he was not in the least disturbed by the protest. He considered the hymn preliminary tc the service proper. Other evidence having been given, Captain Rossi said that he had eight more witnesses, but out of deference to the Bench and seeing that the case had already lasted so long be would forbear calling them. He then addressed the Bench, asserting that he would never give way, but as long as breath remained in his body would protest and fight against the wrong and maintain his rierhfes. The Bench retired, and after an hour'a absence the chairman said that five of the magistrates out of seven had come to the conclusion that, however ill-advised Captain Rossi's action might be considered to have been, not to let tho case be sent on for trial. The Eixtb magistrate bad given way, bub ths seventh had determined to commit. Mr Huthwaite then committed Captain Roaei for trial at the Circuit Court, bail being allowed in £25 and one surety in a like sum. Captain Rossi desires that a record should be made of the fact that be had actually seen the committing magistrate as he was retiring speak to the prosecutor. He refused to accept bail, adding that he was perfectly ready to go to gaol in dofence of his principles. There was applause in court ab this, bub finally bis friends prevailed on Captain Rossi to accept bail. When Mr Huthwaite left the Court an immense crowd hooted, groaned and yelled, but Captain Rossi was cheered, scores wishing to seize his hand. He was visibly affected by the effusive sympathy of the crowd, and in thanking them for their expression ot it said that be had been treated in a most ignominious manner, and committed by a magistrate who had in advance declared that he would commit the soand so (intimating that the word was unmentionable). There was intense excitepienb, and it was thought at 3ne time that Mr Huthwaite would be mobbed. A petition praying for'Mr Hubhwaite's removal from the bench will, it is said, be prepared. After Captain Rossi returned to the hotel a band played in front, and Auburn-street in the vicinity was packed by his sympathisers, and eroans were given for the Bishop,
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Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 35, 11 February 1891, Page 8
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980GOULBURN CATHEDRAL DISPUTE. Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 35, 11 February 1891, Page 8
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