SERVICE DISTURBED

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 69, 15 December 1931, Page 10

SERVICE DISTURBED

Noise from Garage WORKER IS FINED Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, December 14. For disturbing a religious service last Sunday, evening,at Foxton, L. G. Potts, an employee at a service station, was fined 10/-. with 10/- costs by Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., in the Police Court. Counsel for plaintiff, the Rev. W. H. Walton, vicar of All Saints, stated that the noise of the opening of benzine drums at the station, which is two and a half chains across the road from the church, had interrupted the evening service. About two years ago a complaint had been lodged against a similar happening, but if a conviction was entered the vicar did not ask for a severe penalty. The Rev. W. 11. Walton, in detailing the circumstances, stated that twice during the service worshippers had been disturbed, and finally through the terrific noise caused by the opening of a 40-gallon drum he had found it necessary to bring the service to a close. The following morning be had complained to Mr. Hart. W. 11. Hart, manager of the station, who, on behalf of Potts, entered a plea of not guilty, contended that the work complained of was a matter of urgency. In his evidence, Potts stated that he had hammered once or twice In an endeavour to open the drum to get benzine. Upon receiving a telephone message asking him to desist until after church service had concluded, he ceased.

The magistrate said the work was not one of necessity, and there was no need to do such things on Sundays. In regard to the washing and cleaning of cars, that work came under the heading of Sunday trading. He was satisfied that (lie congregation and service had been disturbed.