STREET PREACHERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9934, 3 August 1908, Page 7

STREET PREACHERS.

(Our Parliamentary Special.)

Mr T. Scott-Smith, S.M., of Blenheim, . evidently objects to street preaching. It seems that certain itinerant Evangelists have been holding forth with great volubility iv the Market Square, to the annoyance of busiuess aud other residents whose shops and offices surround that thoroughfare. On Friday evening last, during the temporary absence of the police, the public iudignation assumed a concrete shape, and a mild riot occurred, the preachers being pelted with carrots aud mud, ou which* water was subsequently squirtod. Two of tho alleged rioters wore brougnfc before the Magistrate, aud the police prosecuted; but on Donald McLachlau" one of tho preachers, goiug into the box, he was severely admonished by the Magistrate, who pointed out that he was not doing any good service like the Salvation Army, aud ought to abstain from provoking disturbances. The preach- , ers maintained their right to hold forth, but, although it appeared they had the Mayor's permission to uso the Square, the Magistrate dismissed the charge against their assailants, and warned them nat to annoy business people and provoke disturbances by open-air sermons in future.