OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26041, 3 January 1946, Page 2

OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR

FRENCH SWIMSUIT WORN SYDNEY GIRL FINED SYDNEY, Dec. 8. The girl who wore a French swimsuit at the Sydney Sports Ground last month and a sports promoter were each fined 10 shillings, with 8 shillings costs, in the Central Summons Court. Patricia Margaret Niland, show girl and model, had been charged with having behaved in an offensive manner, and Lionel van Praag, speedway rider and promoter, with having aided, abetted, counselled, and procured the commission of the offence. Mr R. D. Mulray had pleaded not guilty for both. Patricia Niland said in evidence that she had been engaged by an agency to appear in the French model bathing suit at the sports meeting. Costumes of similar type were worn at a loan rally in Martin Place. Costumes worn on the stage were much more scanty than the French model. Lionel van Praag said he was a member of the International Speedway Club, and was also the salaried manager for speedway events. He was chairman of the meeting which discussed the exhibition of the French model costume. “ I opposed the proposition,” said van Praag, “ but it was carried by a majority decision and I had to carry out their wishes.” He said that when the police spoke to him it was too late to cancel the event as it was already being staged. Giving his decision, the magistrate said: “ I have to consider whether such a costume worn at a sports meeting could be considered offensive to the accepted ideas of society or to general propriety at the present day. 'Possibly it might not be offensive on the beaches —although I express no opinion about that—but I am of the opinion that the wearing of the costume at the Sydney Sports Ground that day was a breach of propriety and was offensive to the general community.”