OUTRAM MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16543, 17 November 1915, Page 7

OUTRAM MAGISTRATE'S COURT

(Before Mr H. T. Widdoweon, S.M.) The following business was transacted last Friday at the Outram Court:— Leslie Montgomery was charged with unlawfully disturbing a congregation assembled for public worship at Berwick on September 26. —Constable Southgate prosecuted, and Mr Irwjn appeared for 'the defendant, who was not present, and pleaded not guilty.—James Heenan, farmer, Berwick, stated that on Sunday night, September 26, divine service was held in the Public Hall at Berwick, and that during the service defendant, who appeared to be under the influence of liquor, dieturbed the congregation by groaning and kicking a seat with his feet, talking andi making exclamations during the service.—George Graham, farmer, Berwick, and George Lyall, farmer, Berwick, corroborated this evidence.—Mr Irwin submitted that, as Montgomery had been allowed to_ remain in the hall during the whole service, and had not been asked to leave, ihe congregation could not have been much disturbed.—His Worship concurred with this view.—The defendant was ordered to pay 18s, cost of proceedings, and on payment of that amount the information would be dismissed.

Defende Cases.—For failing to render the personal service required of them under tbo Defence Act, in that they did not attend the training camp at Oamaru on April 9, Patrick O'Brien (of Woodside) was fined £5 and 22s costs; Albert M'Donald (of Berwick), £5 and 7s costs; Alexander Michael Thomson (of WoodsitJe), £5 and 7s costs; Andrew Elliott (of Outram), £5 and 7s costs; and E. W. W. Haggitt (of Outram), 20s and 7s costs.—For failing to attend drill at Outram on September 2, Robert William Higgins was fined 10s and 7s costs, and Alfred Ben Parko (of Outram) 20s and 7s costs.