INDECENT DOCUMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 13 December 1938, Page 7

INDECENT DOCUMENTS

BOOKSELLER SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT PROSECUTION AT WELLINGTON I United Pres* Association 1 WELLINGTON, This Day. “I have listened to what counsel has to say on behalf of the accused, and I appreciate that in appearing to defend a man on charges of this nature has a difficult and most unpleasant task. I feel I have a duty to the public in this matter, and I propose to inflict sentence of imprisonment,” said Mr A. M. Goulding. S.M., in the Court to-day in convisting Reginald Hullena. bookseller, Vivian street, on four charges of delivering by way of hire indecent documents. and two charges of being in possession for hire of indecent documents. Hullena was convicted and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment on each of two charges, to be cumulative, and was convicted and discharged on the others. The police case described a raid on Hullena's premises, where a quantity of literature was seized. Defendant, it was statde. also conducted a club at his home at Petone. where members were charged a membership fee ranging from 4s to £1 Is, according to their capacity to pay. This club operated over weekends, and the French classics referred to in connection with the club were described as vile and obscene compositions by unknown authors. For the defence Mr J. R. Scott said no evidence had been produced by the police as to the nature or class of people into whose hands the literature came. There was no evidence of broadcasting and the matter was not broadcast. Members of the club w r ere men occupying responsible positions in the city and Hullena had not catered for young or susceptible persons.