THE LANCASTER PARK FENCE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7235, 23 October 1901, Page 3

THE LANCASTER PARK FENCE

ANOTHER COURT CASE. The Lancaster Park fence is a stumblingblock to the youth of Christalnirch. Whether the attraction be bicycle sports, athletic sports, cricket matches or pyrotechnic displays, their constitutional objection to " shelling-oub " the necessary coin for admission causes them to scale the seven-foot iron fence erected by the Park Company, causing much damage to the said fence, their clothes and 'the feelings of Mr F. D. Kesteven. A lad named Sydney John Sapforth was charged at the Magistrate's Court this morning with having wilfully damaged 1 this fence to the extent of 12s 6d on the night, of Oct. 9. He pleaded not guilty, and stated that after he had watched the procession cnttr the Park, he had stood on the seat of a. bicycle leaning against the fence to view the fireworks display provided by the Labour Day authorities. Almost immediately some humourist, or perhaps the owner of the bicycle, seized him by the heels, and projected him over the fence, where he was immediately pounced iipon by the Lancaster Park Company's secretary. Mr Kesteven, and Mr William Bevgh. Messrs Bergh and Kesteven stated that the fence had bsen wholo and in good repair on Oct. 9. A noise of kicking on the evening was succeeded by the appearance, of Sapforth, who. in his descent, brought down a crepper that had been encouraged to hide the nakedness of the corrugated iron, and also partially fell through one of the big bowl ing screens used by the cricketers. An examination of the fence revealed the fact that a hole had been kicked in ifc about; two and a. half feet from the ground, and the points at the top bent over. The actual damage would cost from 12s 6d to 15s to make good, but the loss of the creeper was repairable only by time. ]t was stated 'that the company had to spend £3 to £4 mending the fences after each evening entertainment at the Park. Mr Russell appeared on behalf of the company, and pressed for a penalty as a warning. The Bench inflicted a fine of 2s 6d and ; costs, .„-,_.... .-. •■ - . .'