MAN IN LOIN CLOTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 12

MAN IN LOIN CLOTH

APPEARANCE IN STREET NO OFFENCE COMMITTED [by TELEGBATH —I>RESS association] WELLINGTON, Friday Judgment was given to-day in the Magistrate's Court by Mr. E. Page, S.M., in the case in which Charles Perrin, who appeared recently in Willis Street clad only in a loin cloth and shoes, was charged with behaving in a disorderly manner. Mr. Page held that while the appearance of a person in a 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 that he was thus clad, defendant's conduct was in no way riotous or disorderly. His presence on tho streets in a grotesque garb would no doubt attract some attention, and might tend to cause a number of the public to follow him. The same might be said of methods quite commonly adopted for the purpose of advertisement. One occasionally eaw, for example, a clown in full dress paraded through the streets to advertise a travelling circus, or perhaps a bevy of young people clad in South Sea Island costume paraded to advertise a visiting picture. To como within the section of the Act quoted, the magistrate thought something more was needed, something in the nature of noisy, quarrelsome, abusive or unruly behaviour, disturbing to the public peace. Pie did not think the garb defendant was wearing could be held to bo an indecent one so as to bring defendant within ■the provisions of tho Act relating to public decency. Boxers and wrestlers regularly appeared and performed in public more scantily clad than was defendant. The charge was dismissed.