CASE OVER BOOK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23996, 20 June 1941, Page 9

CASE OVER BOOK

INDECENCY ALLEGED

LIBRARIAN IN COURT

ALLEGATION OF POLICE

[llY THI.KIi It APM I'll ESS ASSOCI VI'ION | ('II K ISTCII I"HCII, Thursday

The librarian of the Chancery Book Club. Louise Hyanis, was charged :it

the Magistrate's Court to-day with having in her possession an indecent book. She pleaded not guilty A police matron, Frances Brockett, gave evidence that she became a member of the club in April and inquired if Hyams had anything of a spicy nature. Hyams replied she had, but the book concerned in the charge was out. The book had been taken oil' the shelves because Hvnnis did not want it to get into the wrong hands. Subsequently Hyams telephoned her to say that the hook was available. Witness then went to the club with Detective Thompson, who interviewed Hyams. Detective Thompson, in evidence, said that Hyams told him the hook was in the library when she took it over

two years ago. She had not read the book.

I)eteelive-Sergeant MeClung said the prosecution had been ordeted by the Solicitor-General. The book was unbecoming and offensive to modesty in several portions.

Counsel tor the defence, Mr. W. R. Lascelles, said the book was published by a reputable firm. He quoted the Times Literary Supplement Review, which made no complaint of indecency, but said the storv described the un-

happy life of an American farmer in plain, unvarnished language. The magistrate reserved hi> decision.