OFFENSIVE LETTERS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 143, 18 June 1915, Page 8

OFFENSIVE LETTERS

CHARGE AGAINST A WOMAN. Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., this morning heard a case in which Laetitia Jane Hood was charged with having on three occasions posted a packet having words of a grossly offensive character. Mr. O'Regan appeared for the prosecution; the defendant was not represented by counsel.' Archdeacon Devoy 6aid that on 22nd May last he received a letter (put in) signed "G. A. Martin, author of Roman Catholicism and Crime." The letter referred to a certain young woman. Archbishop O'Shea said that about 26th February last he received a letter signed "GordoD Andrew Martin, author." (The letter was put in.) Alice W. Girhng-Butcher. clerk in the office of the New Zealand Catholic Federation, said that on or bout 26th February last she received a letter addressed to "Mr. PoppelwelJ, Secretary of the Catholic Federation." The contents were exceedingly offensive to Catholics. Minnie Dunne, -shop assistant, said that in February last she lived at the same boardinghouse as accused. She left because she objected to Mrs. Hood, who was continually making remarks of an offensive nature in regard to priests and nuns. After leaving she received three or four anonymous letters, expressing the sentiments which she had heard Mrs. Hood express. Jessie Aitcheson, married woman, living in Kent-terrace, said accused boarded with her about last Christmas time. She was dressmaking and writing. She said she was writing a book called "Roman Catholicism and Crime," and she was going to publish it when it was finished. Detective Mason stated that when he called at accused's place of residence she admitted writing the letters complained of. She said she had signed them with her "pen-name," adding that the contents of the letters were true, and she was prepared to prove them. On 14th June he received a letter from defendant, enclosing cuttings from newspapers referring to priests and nuns, and asking him to show them to Archbisliop O'Shea. When he served the summons on her defendant said, "This is only a case of blufflon their part. Why don't they sue me for criminal libel? They are too big cowards for that." Defendant contended that the Act only referred to offensive words being put on the cover of the wrapper or envelope. His Worship pointed out that the words of the Act referred to the contents as well as the wrapper. He ruled that the contents of the postal packet were offensive. Mr. O'Regan said the letters would be the subject of much more serious proceedings. He asked for a severe penalty. His Worship imposed a fine of £10, with £1 12s costs. None of the witnesses claimed expenses. "I intend to appeal," said the defendant. His Worship fixed the necurity of appeal at £20. i _______