SCENE IN CHURCH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 106, 8 May 1933, Page 2

SCENE IN CHURCH

PAPER PELLETS THROWN REBUKE FROM THE PULPIT WARNING BY MAGISTRATE A charge of disturbing a religious meeting at To Whaiti on March 2fi was made against Akutina Wnitohi in tho Magistrate’s Court at Rotorua this week. The defendant pleaded not guilty. The police evidence was to the effect that a church service, in the mission house at Te Whaiti, was disturb ed owing to defendant, shuffling his feet, calling out, and making wads from pages torn out of hymn books and flicking them about.

Mr. J. A. L. Carter, Presbyterian Maori missioner, in evidence, said that owing to tho behaviour of the defendant he had to make a complaint from the pulpit, although he had not mentioned defendant ’s name. While witness was praying a lady worshipper had been hit with two wads of paper. Owing to disturbances of this kind, which had occurred on several occasions, some members of the congregation said they would not attend services held there, and several had withdrawn their attendance. Since he had issued a warning that ho would take proceedings his congregation had doubled itself. After the service on March 2fi cigarette butts and matches, two torn hymn books and paper rolled into wads had been found on the floor where the defendant had been sitting. I’lio defendant said that he was in company with three companions at the mission house at tho time of the occurrence. Ho had a companion standing alongside him who had thrown the wads of paper. Be did not know anything about the shuffling of feet or the cigarette butts. It must have been someone else who had caused the trouble. The magistrate, Mr. S. L. said tho defendant must understand that if he wished to go to church he

must behave himself. He imposed • fine of £3 and £2 5h costs, ami gave th* defendant a warning that if he cam* before the Court again on a similar charge he would be dealt with muek more severely.