STREET LECTURES

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1936, Page 7

STREET LECTURES

AUCKLAND PROSECUTION

NUISANCE OR ENTERTAINMENT

[PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

AUCKLAND, April 17

“The preaching of religion hurts nobody,” said Leonard Vincent Rowe, a member of the sect known as “Jehovah’s Witnesses,” in the Magistrate’s Court. He was charged with making a noise in Beresford Street, whereby the peace and quiet of persons in the neighbourhood might be disturbed. Sergeant Brenchleiy said that at 9.30 p.m. on February 21. he went to the intersection of Beresford Street and Pitt Street, where he found a motor car with a loud speaker attached. Defendant said the instrument was an electrical transcription machine, and comprised a gramophone and large records. The records were American, and carried religious messages. The apparatus was like-usual-loud speakers used at sports gatherings, and could

be heard in Karangahape Road. The noise was exceptionally loud, and witness could hardly hear what defendant was saying. Two weeks before the apparatus was at the same place from 8.45 to 10.45 p.m. There was a crowd of 150 to 200 people listening to the lecture.

Sydney Herbert Hoskins said that

he lived with his wife and child in a flat at Beresford Street. For some

time his sleep and that of his wife and child was disturbed, and on two Friday nights previously the noise had started at 8.45, and on one night had continued until 11.15. In evidence, defendant stated that he went to the City Council, and was told he was quite entitled to broadcast lectures where he liked, except in certain specified streets. Two residents of the house in which complainant lived gave evidence that they enjoyed the lecture. Counsel produced a statement signed by about 80 people in various parts of Auckland who stated that they enjoyed the lectures and did not -think the peace and quiet of the neighbourhood had been disturbed, the signatories included eight members of the Central Fire Brigade. There was no wish to annoy anyone.

The Bench: There is time place and manner for everything.

Defendant was convicted and ordered to pay costs, provided he gave a guarantee not to operate his apparatus after 9.30 p.m.