HUMAN LEGS IN SHOP WINDOWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3351, 2 December 1919, Page 5

HUMAN LEGS IN SHOP WINDOWS.

' WELLINGTON DRAPER FINED. J ‘As a result of a window display of !stockings and shoes on human legs, a, [large crowd gathered outside the prelmises of William Joseph Cody, in }Coul'tenay Place, Wellington. oody lwas charged at tlfe Ma.gistrate’s Court, before lV.[l- E. Page, S.M., with having caused an obstruction by permitting a. congregation of persons outside his ipremises. I Sergeant Edwards said that at 3.45 p~.m_. on November 5. he -noticed a lcrowd of about 100 pe‘rs7)ns in I‘,-“on-:70? the defend.-2.nt’s premises, and traffic (was obstructed. On investigating he [found that the cause of t‘w.-'crowd was Ethe exhibition of ladies‘ stocking and lgarters on certain females, who were sitting in the window of the shop. All ‘that could be seen was three pairs of ‘legs, to within about 3in above the knees. When. spoken ~to defendant sa.id, “What are our" windows for?.’’ and -he then suggested that it was the duty of the police to keep the crowd Imoving. -On the following day the defendan; displayed a notice that if, lthe crovsid’ became excessive the disply ,' would be stopped. E For the defence. Mr Watson said‘ ‘the whole point was the legality of ai ‘shopkeeper to make effective displays,‘ land in this case shoes and stockings‘ {had been displayed on human legs, ‘instead of artificial ones. Counsel contended that the display ‘was, nothing more than could be seen on Lambton Quay, and far less than a ’f_ashionable ball. " The Magistrate: You don’st. sng-zrest that you see ladies on Lamhton 'Q‘-.la-y,_. ‘showing as much of their legs as 2in or 3in above the knee? Counsel: One certainly sees them up to the knees on occasions. I , Mr Page said it was.not4snggestcd that the display was indecent, but it had apparently been of such a nature as to cause an ‘obstruction._, DefendWould ,be_Cflne/clt £4 and ,eos_ts.7/.i -