PRUDERY IN VICTORIA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2737, 16 February 1910, Page 3

PRUDERY IN VICTORIA.

SPYGLASS ON SURF BATHERS. Recently Mr. Judge Hodges granted an order nisi to review the decision of the Warrnambool justices, bv which a young man named Norman Alston was fined 10s for offensive behavior, which consisted in looking through' a telescope at ladies properly attired, bathing off the open beach at Warrnambool, on November 29. The order was returnaide before the Chief Justice in Melbourne last week. Mr. Arthur, who appeared to move the order absolute, said that Alston swore that he was looking at some fishermen on the horizon, but it was a fact that the ladies bathing were in a direct line, and nearer to Alston. The Chief Justice: Is it a. criminal offence to loolc, at a landscape where ladies are bathing? Mr. Arthur: The Crown apparently docs not - think so. as it is not showing cause

The Chief Justice: There might be oil offence if he- wore in a place where ladies could not bathe without feeling discomfort.

Mr. Arthur: Yes; if ho were in a prominent position or if he directed attention to himself in some offensive behavior, and it was not a public place. The Chief Justice: It appears to he only -a matter of taste —bad taste, r.o doullt. • By consent, the; order nisi was made absolute, and the decision of the magistrates will he set aside.