LOIN CLOTH PARADER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 178, 30 July 1932, Page 8

LOIN CLOTH PARADER

NO OFFENCE COMMITTED MAGISTRATE’S DECISION [ Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 29 Charles Perrin, who appeared recently in Willis Street clad only in a loin cloth and shoes, was declared by Mr Page, S.M., to-day in his reserved decision not to have committted an offence. The charge was of 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 the 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 saw, for example, a clown in full dress parading 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 come within the section of the Act quoted, he thought that something more was needed; something in the nature of noisy, quarrelsome, abusive, or unruly behaviour, disturbing to the public peace. Nor did he think the garb he was wearing < iuld be held to be an indecent one, so as to bring defendant within the provisions of the Act relating to public decency. Boxers and wrestlers regularly appeared and performed in public more scantily clad than was the defendant.