USING OBSCENE LANGUAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9403, 9 January 1894, Page 6

USING OBSCENE LANGUAGE.

A SALUTARY SENTENCE.

At the Police Court yesterday morning, before Mr. H. W. Northcroft, R.M., Lauchlan Robinson, an elderly man, described as an English seaman on board the barque Margaret Galbraith, wast charged with having used indecent language in the hearing of parsons passing on the Devonport wharf. The accused was further charged with- having used indecent language on board the ferry steamer Victoria. Sergeant Gamble said that when the steamer Victoria left Auckland at 6.30 the previous evening the accused was a passenger. He was a little the worse for liquor. A dog was moving about on board the steamer, and when it went near where the accused was standing he kicked ib overboard. A gentleman who stood by and witnessed the occurrence, remonstrated with the accused, when he made use of the language complained of. A number of ladies were present at the time. On arriving at Devonport, the captain of the steamer made a complaint to Constable Rowles. The constable went in search of the prisoner and found him outside the Flagstaff Hotel and took his name. After taking his name, the accused made use of the language as set out in the first information, at the same time taking to his heels. The constable pursued his man, and after considerable trouble secured him. In answer to the Bench the accused said he had nothing to say, but that he was very sorry.' Mr. Northcroft said it was useless for a man to say he was sorry, after having made use of such language." The accused had been guilty of cruelty to animals in the first place. Some people thought it manly to use bad language. He thought when they acted thus that, as well as spoilin their own pleasure, they also spoiled the enjoyment of others. He thought it disgraceful that their wives ' and children could not walk through the streets without having to listen to filthy language. Passing down Queen-street on Saturday evening he heard ■ several young men using bad language, and had there been a consfcubla present he (His Worship) would have given them in charge. " Addressing the audience His Worship said he hoped the sentence he was about to pass would be remembered by them, and be a lesson to them hot to make use of bad language. He would send the accused to Mount Eden for three months, and he might (ell him that ho could have given him twelve months for his behaviour.