2498

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

No. 110

DECISIONS AND REPORTS

(No. 756)

Child Love

A novel written in the form of private letters from Phyllis to Marie recounting the adventures and experiences of a little girl to a classmate.

The letters described in detail the several adventures of a young girl not only with youthful girlfriends but also with adults—male and female.

It is unpleasant and depraved and has no redeeming features. The book has no honesty of purpose and it is written for one reason only and that is to appeal to the prurient interest of the readers.

The Tribunal classifies this book as indecent.

(No. 757)

Eros and Psyche

This is a translation of a French novel based on the classic love story of Eros—the God of Love—and Psyche—the soul—a princess of remarkable beauty as related in The Golden Ass of Appuleius.

This modern French version recounts with Gallic gusto the sexual adventures not only of Eros and Psyche but of other gods and goddesses of Greek mythology. The writing is pedestrian, the story is a poor imitation of the classic story. The honesty of purpose can be questioned. And because of its explicit descriptive passages of sexual behaviour the Tribunal is of the view that this novel should be restricted.

The Tribunal classifies this book as indecent in the hands of persons under the age of 18 years.

(No. 758)

Ride a Cock-Horse

The back cover of this paperback book claims that it is “the first of its kind, the most vibrant, debauched, insolent little book ever”. And so it is. It offends against the criteria laid down in the Act and is indecent within the meaning of the Act.

The Tribunal classifies this book as indecent.

(No. 759)

Tableaux Vivants

The jacket of this paperback novel, purported to be written by Paul Perret, claims that it is a kind of French “manual of erotology” whatever that may be. The Tribunal considers that the “manual”, consisting of a series of 15 erotic tales, is written in a manner that offends against the standards of decency the Tribunal must apply. Taken as a whole this book is unwholesome and written solely for the purpose of exciting prurient interest.

The Tribunal classifies this book as indecent.

22 November 1973.

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

No. 760

Decision of the Indecent Publications Tribunal

IN the matter of the Indecent Publications Act 1963, and in the matter of an application by the Comptroller of Customs for a decision in respect of the book Women and Animals Vol. 1, No. 1, anonymous, published by Titian Productions, London.

Mr Bathgate appeared on behalf of the applicant and made submissions. Mr Henderson, solicitor, appeared on behalf of the New Zealand distributors and made submissions.

DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL

This curious volume has 30 pages of text and many times that number of pages of photos, with no connection being established between the two. The whole production seems devoid of editorial coherence or honesty of purpose, both text and photos catering for an unhealthy preoccupation with unusual sexual behaviour. There is a section of advertisements for other books included and this makes the pornographic nature of the publication even more explicit.

The Tribunal classifies this book as indecent.

22 November 1973.

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

No. 761

Decision of the Indecent Publications Tribunal

IN the matter of the Indecent Publications Act 1963, and in the matter of an application by the Comptroller of Customs for a decision in respect of the book The Happy Hooker by Xaviera Hollander, published by AIM Printing and Typesetting, Darlinghurst, N.S.W.

Mr Bathgate appeared on behalf of the applicant and made submissions. Mr Taylor, the New Zealand distributor, appeared and made submissions.

DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL

The Happy Hooker is the life story of Xaviera Hollander, who took up prostitution on a part-time basis and graduated to become “the most successful madam in New York City”. Her career, however, was shortlived. A campaign by the authorities to eradicate prostitution brought her a police raid in July 1971 and her premises were closed down.

The book provides a factual account of prostitution as a way of life and in the process examines many of the conventional myths surrounding the profession.

Towards the end of the book Miss Hollander switches to what is essentially a case history approach to describe the character, sexual problems, and backgrounds of the men who patronised her business and their reasons for doing so. Her accounts, particularly of those who suffered personality and physical defects or who were in some way emotionally or physically deprived, are not without compassion and warmth. While the methods she used to assist such people might not have been the most effective, or acceptable to society, there is evidence of Miss Hollander’s genuine concern for people.

The book portrays what is essentially a hedonistic view of life, but there is some expression of conventional values. This may not be evident to the younger reader, but should be discernible to the more mature. Miss Hollander’s somewhat exaggerated accounts of her own sexual encounters and experiences make up a large portion of The Happy Hooker. However, despite the fact that sexual activities are described in detail and in language which some might consider to be crude and offensive, the book is what it purports to be—the life story of a prostitute—and is not without some literary and social merit. The explicitness of the descriptions of sexual encounters make it unsuitable for younger readers. A restriction is therefore required.

The Tribunal classifies this book as indecent in the hands of persons under the age of 18 years.

22 November 1973.

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

No. 762

Decision of the Indecent Publications Tribunal

IN the matter of the Indecent Publications Act 1963, and in the matter of an application by the Comptroller of Customs for a decision in respect of the book Xaviera by Xaviera Hollander, published by Warner Books Inc. New York.

Mr Bathgate appeared on behalf of the applicant, but made no submissions. Mr Taylor, the New Zealand distributor appeared and made submissions.

DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL

Xaviera—the sequel to The Happy Hooker—deals with Miss Hollander’s life following the closure of her business. Tedious and trivial recollections of her experiences as a prostitute and brothel keeper, of the character and the escapades of the girls who worked for her, and of her later sexual adventures, form the greater portion of this book. Interspersed with these narratives are cursory and somewhat glib accounts of her co-operation with the District Attorney’s office in its investigations into prostitution and police corruption, of her publicity trips to promote sales of The Happy Hooker, her interviews with the news media, and her subsequent departure for Canada, just ahead of deportation.

It is the Tribunal’s view that this sequel lacks the elements which gave the earlier book some social and literary interest. The brief glimpses of Miss Hollander’s new role as author are overshadowed by the recital of sexual exploits. This recital panders to prurient interest and the profusion of