THE SALVATION ARMY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9467, 11 September 1889, Page 5

THE SALVATION ARMY.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —I'IIKSS ASSOCIATION.] (JiIRISTCHU'RCMI, Tuesday. TilltKß members of the Salvation Army at Rangiora were charged to - duy with obstructing a thoroughfare by assembling afc the corner of a street and kneeling down and praying to the annoyance of the fxissers-by. The charges were proved. The Magistrate (Mr. Whitefoord), in fining two of the accused, said the Bench did not take into consideration whether the Army was a religious body or not. They simply looked upon them an a body of people, and had only to decide whether they had a right to obstruct the street. The case was not n serious one, but tho streets were made for the use of everybody, and it was never contemplated that a bod} , of poople should be allowed constantly to parade them with flags and bands, to the annoyance of those who had rights and privileges deserving of respect. JJc read for the benefit of the defendants Judge Richmond's remarks on the Napier cases, which showed that the Salvation Army must submit to the restraints and regulations which the welfare of the public demanded. Mr. Witefoord expressed the hope that . tho defendants would act in future so as not to bring themselves within the reach of the law, and he fined them ise each, with costs 375, or in default 24 hours' hard labour. Two, named Thomas Nicholas and M. Brown, elected to accept the alternative.