GENERAL HIGGINS SUMMONED

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 October 1931, Page 9

GENERAL HIGGINS SUMMONED

HIS SOLICITOR’S PROTEST.

LONDON, September 5. ‘‘l deeply regret that the Corporation of Birmingham have thought fit to issue a summons rather than a warning,” so remarked the defending solicitor at Birmingham yesterday, when two summonses were heard against General Edward J. Higgins, head of the Salvation Army, one for not being in residence at a common lodginghouse at such time as he was registered at the Corporations’ office as keeper, and the other foi- allowing in a robin a greater number than the bylaws allowed. The first summons was dismissed on payment of costs, but in the second case a fine of 20s was imposed. For the Corporation, Mr. A. Priestley said that it was necessary to have a resident keeper for Salvation Army hostels. As General Higgins could not reside at all the hostels registered deputy-keepers had to be engaged, but when an inspector visited the hostel in question on July 15 he was told that the keeper had left and nobody had come to replace him. In Room 13 there should have only been thirteen beds, but there were fourteen beds occupied, and this , offence arose directly out of the absence of the deputy keeper. Mr. A. C. Jaques, for the defence, said that the proceedings were mosf extraordinary, as they were against General Higgins, who resided in London, and could not be going round the country to keep a strict supervision. There was a person in*charge, but ho had not been registered. It was true that there were foutrecn men in a room registered for thirteen, but that was because the “Army” wanted to assist the poor to the greatest possible extent.