INDECENT LANGUAGE

Southland Times, Issue 24712, 7 April 1942, Page 3

INDECENT LANGUAGE

TWO YOUNG MEN FINED Heavy fines were imposed upon J. Haselmore, aged 21, and D. Wilson, aged 18, two young cheese factory assistants who came before Mr R. C. Abernethy, S.M., in the Wyndham Court, for using indecent language in the vicinity of the Seaward Downs Hall on the night of Wednesday, March 18. Wilson was fined £lO and Haselmore £6, and on a further charge of behaving in a disorderly manner in a public place both the accused were convicted and discharged. Both pleaded guilty and were not represented by counsel. Constable W. Phillips stated that on the night of the offence a dance was being held in the Seaward Downs Hall and was largely attended. About 11.40 p.m. he noticed two men running from the hall on to the road, and one was accusing the other of something that had happened in the hall in a loud manner. It was then that the words complained of in the charge were used. A challenge to fight was made and Wilson was just in the act of rolling up his sleeves when the witness came on the scene and questioned them about the language being used. Wilson was definitely the aggressor, and it was he who spoke the loudest, but both could be heard by anyone some thirty yards away. “If you continue using such language at dance halls, Wilson, then you can look for trouble. Get that at the back of your head,” said his Worship. He added that both the accused were getting- good wages and he was going to mark his strong disapproval by imposing severe fines. The Court would not have such conduct and it was only their ages that saved them from gaol.