A GRAMOPHONE NUISANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 201, 23 August 1905, Page 5

A GRAMOPHONE NUISANCE.

BLIND MAN'S UNREASONABLENESS. The "loud-speaking" gramopbonr? manipulated by John Clarke, a blind man, in the Auckland streets, was the cause of its owner being summoned iv the Police Court to-day before Mr. Kettle, S.M., for a breach of the City bylaws. The charge was that he played a musical instrument which caused a crowd to obstruct Shortiand-street. Evi dence by the police showed that Clarke placed himself near the post office wit! his gramaphone, the tones of which proved so seductive that the crowd which gathered obstructed one portion of the street. Cabs bad to pass on their wrong side, and people could not use the pavement. When Clarke was to that he was obstructing the street he returned an insolent answer, declared that he had his living to get, and woult not move as requested. Clarke asked Constable Murray if the same by-law affected the Prohibition League, the Salvation Army, and other organisations which held meetings in. the street. The officer replied in the affirmative. "Do they have bigger crowds than I?" continued the defendant. "Yes," replied the constable, and Clarke retorted, "Why don't you proceed against them?" The constable explained that there were only complaints against the blind men, as the other people did what they were told. Mr. T. C. Turner, City traffic inspector, gave evidence that he had experienced considerable trouble with the defendant, who was very obstinate, and made things unpleasant when he was spoken to, as he made insolent replies, and addressed the crowd. William Arey, partner in the firm of Wildman and Aney, Shortiand-street. stated that he had been obliged to complain to the police about the obstructiot caused by the defendant with his gramophone, and the accompanying crowd People could not get into the shop, and the defendant staved in the qa.Tn» position all the morning. "Everybody must sympathise with blind and disabled men who are trying to earn honest livings in the street." re_oar_.ed the magistrate, who informed the defendant that he must recollect he was committing a breach of the by-law 3, and if the omcial3 overlooked it he must be reasonable in selecting a suitable place to play his instrument. Clarke, who was convicted and discharged, informed the Court that owing to the trouble about his machine he was trying to sell it, and get a smaller one, which made less noise.