PREACHING IN STREETS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23205, 19 May 1945, Page 4

PREACHING IN STREETS

Complaints To Borough

Council Change Of Venue Recommended As a result of complaints made in regard to loud preaching and singing in Church Street, the Works Committee will recommend to the Timaru Borough Council on Monday evening that tne preachers be instructed that they must move their stand to Canon Street. “As instructed,’’ wrote Traffic Inspector D. Cameron in a report, “I made inquiries in regard to a complaint received from the proprietors of the Empire and Old Bank Hotels concerning the disturbance caused by a group of people who preach on Sunday evenings In Church Street opposite the hotels. At 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 15, approximately 10 men congregated in Church Street opposite the Empire Hotel, and commenced a religious service, which was still in progress when I left at 9.15 p.m. Much singing and preaching were indulged in, and every man present took his turn at preaching, shouting as loudly as possible. “I listened from some of the bedrooms in the Empire Hotel, and I am satisfied that it would be impossible for anyone to sleep or rest while this service is in progress. In both hotels permanent boarders have had to sleep in the back bedrooms owing to the noise from this religious group on Sunday evenings. I was also informed that on many occasions as many as 30 persons join in the service, which usually continues until 10 p.m. This same group preaches in George Street, near Stafford Street, on Friday evenings. Another sect preaches in Canon Street on Friday evenings. I had to warn the leader of the Canon Street group on Friday, April 6, for shouting so loudly.” At the meeting of the Committee, the Town Clerk (Mr E. A. S. Killick) quoted the Borough by-law on the subject, which reads: “No person shall in any street, private street, carriage road, footpath, footway or public place, sing, play any music, preach, read, lecture, sell or cry any wares, or exhibit any object or thing, or make any noise or any loud sounds, or cause or by conduct invite others to do any of the aforesaid acts whereby the peace and quiet of any person residing in or using or being in any neighbouring house or building is disturbed, or whereby the proceedings of any congregation, assemblage or meeting is disturbed or annoyance is caused to any person attending • any such congregation, assemblage or meeting.”