DISTURBING THE SALTATION ARMY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 2744, 10 July 1883, Page 3

DISTURBING THE SALTATION ARMY.

[By Telegraph.] DrNEDiir, July 9. At th<* Police Court to-day, four youths named Riordon, Cuis?, Craigle, and Beath, were charged under the Vagrant Act with attempting to provoke a breach of the peace on Sunday evening. Inspector Weldon stated that lnst evening about 2000 people assembled outside Iho Salvationi-ts place of meeting m Moray Pluce, and tho conduct of Ihe accused and a number of other youths wbs most disreputable. The scene w»a a disgrace to the city, and things had arrived at such a climax, he would ask the Bench to deal firmly with the accused. Tho assemblage was for the purpose uf resenting something which took place at the Salvation Army meeting m the afternoon and taking tbe law into their own hands. It wrb for a wrong purpose, and he questioned whether the accused should not be indicted for taking part m a tumultuous assembly. However, the Bench were now asked to deal with them under the Vagrant Act. Evidence was given of tbe very rowdy behavior on the part of tbe accused and a number of others who yelled and hooted and inarched m procession down the principal streets, kicking up a row like that made to welcome m the New Tear. It appeared that at the afternoon meeting of Ibe Salvationists two larrikins attempted to enter, but were put out by a captain, who lost bis temper. He was threatened at the lime, and the police hud to esort him to his home. The evening gathering was evidently prearranged to attempt revenge. Counsel for the do'ence, Mr Fitchetfc, contended that tbe accused's conduot had thus been provoked by the Salvationists, and the following evidence was given 1 — ; Louis Crosby deposed he was m the Temperance Hall yesterday morning. Witness was with one or two othern humming a tune going dawn the TeoiperaDOe Hall $tair», when a new '• Captain" offerod to fight half-a--dozen of them, and threw witness half-way down tho stairs. "Captain" Wilson then took him up and threw him further down, he landed on bis head. Mr Fitchctt : You aro not a converted onp. Witness '• No, I was once, but I have given it " beet." The limch fined Riordon (a ringleader) £10 or fix monUis ; Cuiss and Oraiglo £5 or six weeks' each, and Beath £2 10s or one mouth. Riordon and Craigle could not pay [the fines, and had to gj to gaol.