THE SALVATION ARMY PROSECUTED.

Press, Volume XLI, Issue 6054, 10 February 1885, Page 2

THE SALVATION ARMY PROSECUTED.

[raass associatiow . txlkobaicJ BLENHEIM, February fi. The. charge against members of the- ' Salvation Army of exposing" War Crica*' for sale in the public street on Sunday woe dismissed. Defendant was is the habit of purchasing a bundle of "War Criei," and distributing, them in the streets, accepting, money where offered, but generally giving them for nothing. On this occasion apublican asked him for three copies, and gave him threepence, which heput into the Army box. Defendant, so far from making a profit outof them put all his takings into the box; ' The Magistrate considered the cas* trifling and trumpen, tUbugh he was clear.thasthe Army had no right, morally or legally, to sell *? War Cries " oji Sunday, and that if they had any regard for the eanctity ,er -. the Sabbath they would give up setunjT them. The charge against Horace Bafaff, of Wellington, for maliciously beating *• a drum to the annoyance of the residents near Market square was also heard. It was contended by Mr Sinclair, for the defence, that beating a drum was part or the ordinary Salvation Army worship, and the Police Offences Act applied no more toit than the church bells. For complainant* Mr McNab contended that the whole proceedings wera a blasphemous mockery . of religion, but that whether part of the religious worship or not complainant must be protected from annoyance. Judgment was reserved till this afternoon.

Later. The case was dismissed, hia Worriupholding that although the charge waeproTed, and complainant had good ground* for laying the information, yet, a* it was the first charge tinder the Act, and not a very serious matter, he felt juetifisd ift acting under section 87, which gives power to dismiss a ewe when proxe-i if of-** trifling nature. His Worship held theggt .was no analogy between drams and A belle, as the utter would be a nuisance ra-ff carried round the streete and rnng out <**• their place.