ALLEGED INDECENT DOCUMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 19 June 1941, Page 6

ALLEGED INDECENT DOCUMENT

LIBRARIAN OF BOOK CLUB CHARGED POLICE MATRON’S EVIDENCE MAGISTRATE RESERVES DECISION Christchurch, This Day. Louise Hyams. librarian of the Chancery Book Club, was charged in the Magistrate’s Court to-day with having in her possession an indecent document, “Andrew’s Harvest.” She pleaded not guilty. The police matron. Frances Brocket!' in evidence said that she became a; member of the club in April and inquired if Hyams had anything of a spicy nature. Hyams replied that she | had., but the book. "Andrew’s Harvest,” was out. The book had been taken off the shelves because Hyams did not I want it to get into the wrong hands, j Subsequently Hyams telephoned her to! say that the book was available. Witness then went to the club with Detec- j tive Thompson, who interviewed! Hyams. Detective Thompson, in evidence, said that Hyams told him that the book wasj in the library when she took it over I two years ago. She had not read the j book, but her attention had been drawn to it by a man named Giles. Detective-Sergeant McClung said that | prosecution had been ordered by th* : Solicitor-General. The book was un-i becoming and offensive to modesty ini several portions. Counsel for the defence. Mr W. R. Lascelles, said that the passages mark- • ed by the police gave an entirely false, impression of the book in general. The, book was published by a reputable firm. I He quoted “The Times” literary supplement review, which made no complaint of indecency, but said that the; story described the unhappy life of an American farmer in plain, unvarnished! language. The book had been admitted to /Tew Zealand without check and!' passed through wholesale and retail 1 firms without complaint. Hyams, in evidence, said that one of the most constant patrons, John McKellar Giles, a journalist, complained of certain passages, and she removed the book from her shelves and asked the constant patron for his opinion of it. While the book was out for this purpose ; the police called. Giles, in evidence, said that he wrote : ar article for a weekly newspaper criti- I cising the Customs Dr # irtment for al- • lowing the book into ti country. The Magistrate stood the case down ’ till later in th? day to think the matter ! over.—P.A.