INDECENT POST CARDS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 147, 14 August 1911, Page 5

INDECENT POST CARDS.

MAN SENT TO GAOL

(Per Press Association.)

Christchurch, August 13. Before Mr. H. W. Bishop, S.M. r Waiter Nicholl, for whom Mr. Cassidy appeared, pleaded guilty to a ciiarge of having sold indecent postcards on a railway train. Sub-Inspector McGrath stated that the facts were that two constables in plain clothes had been travelling to J'imaru from Christchurch by the first express. Accused, who had sold them a newspaper, asked them if they would care to buy a postcard, at the came time showing the cards objected to. The constables had bought postcards, paying threepence each for them. One of the constables had asked accused if lie was not afraid to sell such cards. Accused replied to tho effect that he knew his mark, adding: “If 1 were caught Bishop would give mo hell ”

His Worship: I don’t know anything about ids future in the next world, but lie’s going to get it in this world for keeping such cards. Mr. Cassidy stated that accused Lad been working on tlie train for eight years. This was the first time that he had been before the Court or in trouble. Accused had denied selling eight cards, stating that lie had sold tiu'ce only, and had given the rest to the constables. He- also denied having passed' comment on his fata if he came before Mr. Bishop that the constables alleged. Counsel wished to show that accused had not been.’ trafficking in indecent matter. Mr. Bishop: Where did he got these cards?

Mr. Cassidy said that his client had picked them up amongst a box of pictorial and comic cards. Mr. Bishop said that he could not understand persons having such cards in their possession. There was notni.ag whatever to attract, amuse, or educate on such cards. There was nothing humorous about them. They Were merely lilthy. Accused had been aware of the nature of the offence.he was committing, and had evidently anticipated trouble if ho was caught. That had been shown by this scarcely respectful reference to him (Mr. Bis nop). .A Magistrate of his standing was likely to have very decided opinions upon certain points, and they were likely to he well known.-He had never hesitated to express his opinions freely. Of course, he would not alloy/ this statement to make any difference to his judgment. Mr. Cassidy repeated that accused denied having made the remarks. His Worship, continuing, said that ho supposed the constables would swear to it, but the matter was immaterial. “There is a section cf the community, I suppose, who regard mo ar; a perfect terror, and it is just as wall for the community as a whole that they should regard me in that way. It makes for respect for law and order.” It was not a case'for a light penalty. A sentence of one month's imprisonment would ho initiated.