SELLING INDECENT CARDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3295, 14 August 1911, Page 3

SELLING INDECENT CARDS.

A FORECAST OF PUNISHMENT. TRAIN NEWSVENDOR IMPRISONED. 'PEE PEESS ASSOCIATION.! CHRISTCHURCH, August 12. Before Mr. H. W. Bishop, S.M., Walter Nicholl, for whom Mr. Cassidy appeared, pleaded guilty to a charge of having sold indecent post-cards on a railway train. .. _ Sub-Inspector McGrath stated that the facts were that two constables in plain clothes had been travelling to Timaru from Christchurch by the first express. The accused, who had sold them a. newspaper, asked them if they would care to buy a post-card, at the same time showing the cards objected to. The constable had bought eight cards, paying 3d each for them. One of the constables had asked accused if he was not afraid to sell such cards, and accused replied to the effect that he knew his mark, adding “If I were caught Bishop, would give me Hell.” His Worship: I don’t know anything about his future in the next world, but he is likely to get it in this world for keeping such cards. Mr. Cassidy stated that accused had been working on the train for eight years, and this was the first time that he had been before the Court or in trouble. Accused had denied selling eight cardsj saying that he had sold three cards, and had given the rest to the constables. He also denied having passed the comment on his fate if He came before Mr. Bishop that the constables alleged. Counsel, proceeding, said he wished to show- that accused had not been trafficking in indecent matter. Mr. Bishop: Where did he get these cards ? Mr. Cassidy said that his client naa 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 nothing whatever to attract, amuse, or educate on such cards, and there was nothing humorous about them. They were merely filthy. Accused had been aware of the nature of the offence he was committing, and had evidently anticipated trouble if he was caught. That had been shown by his scarcely respectful reference to him (Mr. Bishop). A magistrate of his standing was likely to have very decided opinions upon certain points, and these were likely to be well known. He had never hesitated to express his. opinions freely, but of course he would not allow this statement to make any difference to his judgment. Mr. Cassidy repeated that accused denied having made the remark. His Worship continued that he supposed the constables would swear to it, but the matter was immaterial. “There are sections of the community, I suppose, who' regard me as a perfect terror,” he added; “and it is just as well for the community as a whole that they should regard me in that way, as it makes for respect for law and order.” A sentence of one month’s imprisonment would he inflicted.