DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12930, 7 December 1912, Page 3

DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT.

'GRUNTING" WHILE LADIES SING

DUET IX CHURCH

(Special to Herald.)

CHRISTCHURCH. this day

A charge of interfering with the orderly conduct of a religious service in the South Malvern Baptist Church on October 6th was preferred against five young men — Charles Morgan, Richard Morgan. Alexander Nichol, Rowland Hill, and Percy Leeming — at the Darfield Magistrate's Court. The circumstances, as explained by the police, were that the defendants went to the church at the commencement of the service, and from the outnet they were continually laughing, talking, and whistling. "I understand that this is not the first time that this has occurred." stated the constable in charge of the case. Annie Abrahams, who was present at the church service, raid the defendants were sitting together in church. While the congregation was singincr the boys were whistling, and when witness looked round they talked and laughed. The boys annoyed witness so much that •she left the church. "I am quite certain these are the boys," declared witness. "I have known them since thev were children. Thev can't deny it if thev tell the truth."

Cross-examined, -witness said her .attention was drawn to the boys as soon as she entered the rhurch. She could not say who whistled, but she thought it was one of the Morgan?."

Lily Abrahams said she had cause to remember being at church on the night of October 6th. She corroborated the testimony of the previous witness. "As soon as my cousin and I got up to sine a duet, these bovs. began 'grumtiner,' " she continued. "I don't supoose they thought we could sing. I didn't turn round to see who it was, but I know Percy Leeming's 'grunt.' I have heard it at concerts."

The defence was a complete denial of the oharce, and four of the defendants went into the witness-box, and stated that there' was no disturbance in the church on the night in question,, while Richard Morgan said .that he made a noise with a rose leaf, and that was the only noise that was made in the chuirch. ' ■

"The defendants will all be convicted," stated the Maeistrate. "I am satisfied that they did cause a disturbance in the church, and it is not at all creditable to them. There are a great many people who think that a place of worship should be absolutely ouiet, and disturbance cannot be allowed."

Each defendant was fined £2, and the costs will be divided amongst them.