NUDISM CHARGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 310, 31 December 1940, Page 9

NUDISM CHARGE.

PROBABLY TEST CASE. THREE SEMT FOR TRIAL. (By Air.) SYDXEY, December 26. "Thia, caee will probably decode whether nudism can be carried on here," *aid Mr. McCulloch, S.AL, in the Central Summons Court. Mr. McCulloch was hearing the cases of two young women and three young men who were charged with hat-ing* mndalously exposed their naked bodies near Waterfall, on November 10. The defendants were: Alexander of Kogarah; Cedric Cosh, of Sydney; Margaret Morgan, of Potte Point; Molly Smith, of Annandale; and lewis Robert*, of Potto Point. Mr. R. M. Lorton, who appeared for Margaret Morgan and Lewis Robert*, asked that the case against Morgan be heard in camera. Mr. Edward* (for Docrill and Molly Smith) said: "I am entirely in favour of an open court. If tiw ca«c is heard in camera certain explanations which will be given of certain incidents will not receive the publicity they should. People will get the impression that there really was something scandalous going on, and my clients will suffer by the silence of a closed court."' Mr. W. R. .Tollnstone (tor Cedric Cosh) eaid that he desired a closed court. The Magistrate: Public hearing in courts ha* been long established, and wat* based on a very sound principle indeed. I sec no reason whatever why this hearing should be taken in camera,"' , he said.

Three police officers gave evidence. Constable Leonard Anderson (C.1.8.) said: "I first saw Docrill walking up a hill near Heatheote Creek. He was nude. Afterwards I saw him join the women, Smith and Roberts, on the bank of the creek. I saw the woman Morgan sitting en an elevated rock. She was afco in the nude. I was looking through field glasses. Mr. Lor ton: A certain gentleman wae doing that at Coventry, and we all know what they called him. The Magistrate: There is no prima facie case so far as Margaret Morgan and Cedric Coeh are concerned. Ther are discharged. "I must eend the others for trial" he said. Mr. Lorton: The whole thing eugge«te the u*e of a blacksmiths hammer ~to crack a peanut. Doerill, Roberts and Molly Smith were committed for trial at the Februarv sittings of the Quarter Sessions. Bail in £20 wae allowed. Docrill, who sat in Court with Molly Smith, and occasionally whispered to her, wae wearing a 'nickel National Emergency Service badge in hie lapel