STUDENT FINED

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1933, Page 4

STUDENT FINED

INDECENT DOCUMENT IN POST ANSWER TO GIRL’S ADVT. (Per Press Association—Copyright).

‘ CHRISTCHURCH, November 27

A student of Canterbury College whose name was suppressed, wa lS fined £lO, in default imprisonment for one month, in the Magistrate’s Court today, for sending indecent documents through the post.

I Chief- Detective Dunlop said an advertisement had been put in a Christchurch newspaper by complainant,seeking- a position, and she had two answers. On tire following day. apparently written by the same person, the letters which contained very serious suggestions of an indecent nature, were given by the girl to her mother, who took them to the police. The police had identified-defendant by his handwriting. Defendant admitted writing the letters, and said .it wa s ail meant as a hoaXi Mr R, TWyiieham, counsel for the cusod, said that .earlier iii the yeai'j accused with qtllel' students had a 1 1" mvered some matrimonial advertise* meats, He seemed to he 'simpleminded in some respects, but a brilliant student. Accused had since seen the girl and her mother and had apologised, and had so impressed them that they had written asking to have the charge withdrawn. Counsel appealed to the Magistrate to suppress the name, saying that in the circumstances, publication would he a mere severe penalty than imprisonment. Defendant was exceedingly ashamed of himself and very contrite.

The Magistrate said he could not understand the attitude of the mind of youths who could commit such ,an offence. He allowed accused 48 hours in which to find the money.