HATPINS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 13 December 1912, Page 7

HATPINS

THE SYDNEY OIIUSAPE

Tljc precincts of the Central Police Court at Sydney on October 23rd, says the Herald, presented an animated appearance, when over .100 women, all fashion ably dressed, appeared to answer informations charging them with neglect to obey the order of the City Council in regard to the wearing of dangerous or unprotected hatpins.

Mr Clarke, S.M., presided, and the allegation against the defendants way that they allowed their hatpins to protrude in such, a way as to lie a source of danger to other persons. In all there, were 117 summonses issued, and the great majority of defendants appeared in person. Some, however, were represented by a solicitor, a relative or a friend to suljmit to the judgment of the Court, and a few weie content to let judgment go bv default. With such a number of defendants the limited accommodation of the Summons Court was soon overtaxed, , and many women had to remain in the vestibule until their names were called by the Court crier. There was also a iarge increase in the number of Court frequenters, attracted by the novelty of the proceedings-', and great curiosity was evident as to how the defendants would comport themselves before the Bench. If anything in the shape of a .s-nsation was expected, those who indulged in that anticipation must have been disap- ; pointed, as the usual decorum of the Summons Court was in no way disturbed. The defendants— many cf them young ii»d wearing the most attractive and up-to-date 'head gear— I did not seem to be in the least distressed by their environment, as they laughed and joked with, eaeh other with as much, nonchalance as.i i,l' they 1 were awaiting tin- ringing-up "' thi ' curtain a: a theatrical performance. ' The strangeness of their .surrorI ings and the air of judical severity ■which characterised the proceedings may -have- induced a spasm ;' vousney-i amongst some of the defendants, but it must have been very flittmg. as it was not apparent when the nam'.--; were called and .•vindication,,-, made. "All these are first offenders, your Worship," said Mr Wa!;l:o*>, the city solicitor, indicating the bevy of defendants as be explained that the bye-law under which the prosecutions were taken was passed by the City Council a few months ago, and, on being enforced, penalties were given against a number ol persons, this seemed to have some ' salutary effect, as the nuisance way abated, but the abatement was only temporary, as the wearing of long and unprotected hatpins scon become as prevalent as before. lu consequence of this a, yjieeial raid was made on the ladies who went abroad on Eight Hours' Day wearing the dangerous hatpins, and the present proceedings were instituted to awaken offenders to a I sense of their liability, and to oiif force a better observance of the byla ,v, which to framed for the expreys purpose of protecting the public, against iirnjy .from the sharp points of unshielded hatpins. He did not intend to ask for a heavy pennHy in these casvis.

r.iu-h of the defendants, on pleadinjr jniilty, was fined 3s, with 6s

costs. The. Town Hall coffers will henefit hy these fines to the extent of £l-1.