The Salvation Army.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 85, 29 December 1887, Page 2

The Salvation Army.

COUNCILLOR JOYCE TAKING ACTION.

At the Borough Council meeting on Tuesday night, Cr Joyce said there was one thing he wished to draw the attention of the Council to, and that was the assembling and stationing of the Salvation Army in thb street. He had himself been going past on Sunday and his horse took fright aud nearly threw him. Another gentleman (Mr Foster), was going up in a trap, and had to turn aud go up another street, The Army took up the whole width of the street, ” with flag, flying, and with fiddles, concertina, and bones playing, and yelling,” and therefore he thought the matter should be rectified, or somebody would be getting their necks broken. If he had fallen possibly he would have had his neck broken, and the horse clearing away might have run over and killed some women or children. They (the soldi-rs) were only men of straw, and one might just as well throw snowballs into tne sea as say anything to them, for all the effect it would have, if tne Council was not responsible, for preventing the obstruction of roads, who was? if a person were injured or killed through these proceedings who was to recoup thetr friends for the medical expenses, etc., entailed. Lt was, he said, a disgrace to permit these people to occupy the whole street. He did not wish to interfere with people in their religious observances, but they should conduct themselves in a way not injurious to the lives and property of other people. If here had been many complaints lately, and the thing was getting too barefaced and must be stopped, or some accident would occur. People had no right to assemble in the street to the danger and detriment of others, lu this instance particularly referred to it was impossible to get by. There was no doubt they were on this occasion obstructing the thoroughfare in every sense of the word, and it was dangerous for horsemen to approach them. There was nothing in the bylaws that would apply to the case, so he would propose: “ That owing to the danger to life attached to the carrying of flags, torches, and banners by the Salvation Army, and their assembling in the public streets to the inconvenience and annoyance of the publie, this Council do take steps for the protection of lives and property, aud also the maintenance of good orderwithin the Borough of Gisborne.” Cr Lewis : I think-— The Mayor: Pardon me, but this is only a notice— Cr Lewis: Well, it is simply to facilitate matters that I speak. I think this is really a matter for the police— Cr Joyce s I rise to a point of order I have just explained,.as allowed by the rules, the reasons why I give this notice of motion.