THE EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 9090, 29 April 1890, Page 3

THE EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT.

THE ACCUSED IN COURT. At the Police Court yesterday morning, William Ballinger and Michael Corrigan were charged with behaving, on Saturday evening, in High street, in a manner and with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. Messrs R. "Westenra and F, A, Bishop were on the Bench. Mr Weston appeared for Corrigan, and stated that he lived near the new cemetery and had been spending the evening in town. Ho had no interest in the early closing movement, and he denied having hooted, but that he was mistaken for another lad. Mr Pender stated the facts of the case, saying that for the past three Saturday nights great crowds of men and boys had caused an obstruction in the streets, and had on the first occasion behaved in an unseemly manner, by throwing tomatoes, &c., at Mr Stratz’a windows. On the second occasion, in addition to blocking the thoroughfare, small stones had been thrown at Mr Powell’s verandah, causing a slight damage; and as there seemed likely to be a further demonstration, he (Me Pender) deemed it advisable to take such steps as would prevent a serious disturbance. He did not wish to be too officious in the matter or to interfere unless some necessity arose, but from what had occurred on the previous Saturday nights he had made up his mind to stop it before any further mischief was done. The fact alone that great inconvenience was caused by the crowd gathering in the street was sufficient to warrant him in taking action to prevent it. There was no inclination on the part of the crowd on Saturday evening last to do any violence, but when they began to hoot and howl, and thus incite a row, he instructed Chief Detective O’Connor to arrest someone. He hoped the Bench would let them know that this kind of conduct was most disgraceful, and could not be allowed. The people must seek the protection of the police if they were to be treated in this manner, and though he did nob wish to press the charge, which he reminded the Bench was an indictable offence, he wished the public to know that they were determined to put a stop to such a line of conduct. He called

Chief Detective O’Connor,who stated that on receiving l Mr Pender’s instructions he and Constable Gaffney had arrested the two accused, who wore foremost in the crowd and both hooting. They put them in a cab, and took them to the watch-house. Mr Pender said that both lads were of respectable character. The Bench said they would take into consideration the respectability of the accused, but it must be understood that though dealt with leniently on this occasion, a repetition of such conduct would be dealt with in the severest possible manner. They would not permit this hooting and intimidation to be carried on without marking their disgust at it and determination to put it down. If persons were disinclined to fall in with the early closing movement they were not to be treated as they had been, as if such proceedings were allowed it would lead to a disturbance. They would be fined Is each and costs.