WELLINGTON’S NUDIST

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 July 1932, Page 7

WELLINGTON’S NUDIST

NO OFFENCE IN LAW MAGISTRATE’S DECISION [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, July 29. Charles Perrin, who appeared recently in Willis Street, clad only in a loin cloth and shoes, was declared by Mr. Page, S.M., to-day, in a reserved decision, not to have committed an offence. The charge was of behaving in a disorderly manner. Mr. Page held that while the appearance of a person in grotesque costume in public streets, might cause some excitement, that in itself, in the absence of other circumstances, did not constitute disorderly behaviour. Save for the fact he Was thus clad, defendant’s conduct was in no way riotous, or disorderly. His presence on the streets in grotesque garb, would no doubt attract some attention, and might t'end to cause a number of the public to follow him. The same might, be said of methods quite commonly adopted for purpose of advertisement. One occasionally saw, for example, a clown in full dress paraded through the streets to advertise a travelling circus, or perahps, a bevy of young people, clad in South Sea Island costume, paraded to advertise a visiting picture. To come within the section of the Act quoted, he thought something more was needed, something in the nature of noisy, quarrelsome, abusive or unruly behaviour, disturbing to the public peace. Nor did he think the garb' Perrin was wearing could be held to be indecent, so as to bring defendant within the provisions of the Act relating to public decency. Boxers and wrestlers regularly appeared and performed in public, more scantily clad than was defendant.