SUNDAY PICTURES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16782, 11 July 1922, Page 9

SUNDAY PICTURES.

WESTPORT PROSECUTION. {Special to the Star.”) GREY-MOUTH. July 10. Action lins been taken by tlie police with the object of suppressing Sunday picture shows at Westport. At tho Magistrate’s Court on Friday, before MrT. E. Maunsell, S.M., the proprietor of tile Grand Picture Theatre, H. -J. Wilde, teas charged on two informations with keeping open the theatre for the purposes of transacting business therein on June 4 and June ■ ■ 1922. Inspector Alathieson conducted the case for the police. Defendant said the band asked him to run pictures and he told them the} could do so provided they took sole control and the cost of the films, etc.. was taken out of the proceeds. lie got nothing out of the concerts, and, as a matter of fact, was out of pocket out them. He did not know what amounts were, taken. His agreement with the band merely was verbal. The benefit was given for a returned soldier. He told Mr M ake that the soldier must pay the expenses of film hire, operator and so on. Tiie total receij>ts were about £6. A permit was not granted to him but to the band. _ \ Inspector Alathieson: No legal permit. can be given. Have you not interviewed several members of the band? Defendant: Xo. I interviewed only one. Inspector Alathieson : Have you not been tearing up and down in front of the theatre, saying that the band got you into this trouble and they must get you out of it ? Defendant: No. I was asked not to appear in court, and was told the band would pay half tlie fin© and 1 could pay the other. I went and saw the secretary and I could bring evidence in support of this.’’ Inspector Alathieson said the whole Coast was looking for some loophole, j If this broach were allowed then others would take advantage of it by some ; trick or device. The magistrate: Tt would not be j legal to do it by some trick or device, but. defendant says he got nothing out > of the concert. Inspector Alathieson said he would j like to call evidence in rebuttal of tlmt j ' given by defendant. The magistrate : I could adjourn the case. 1 will be surprised if this man j lias gone in the box and. on his oath j has committed perjury in saying he j got: nothing out of the concerts. Inspector Alathieson : 1 will ask for an adjournment. ’ The magistrate said that as the case stood at present no offence was disclosed. Inspector Alathieson said he was not satisfied with defendant’s evidence. He wished to hat e time to call rebutting evidence, and asked for a month’s adjournment. The senior-sergeant could investigate and report t{he result of tho investigation. After some deliberation the magistrate decided to adjourn the case sine f die, defendant to be given twenty-four hours' notice before it was a©ain brought on.