1808

community had so developed in the interim that the previous
decision was no longer valid. He also contended that the
book had circulated in the interim without causing offence.
In its decision of 5 November 1970, the Tribunal agreed
on a description of the book which we cannot do better
than quote on the present occasion.
"Briefly, the book is the libretto of the series of dramatic
sketches which make up the stage performance known as
Oh! Calcutta! which has achieved considerable notoriety as
one of the first modern dramatic performances featuring
complete nudity of the actors.
"We are agreed that the work is a minor one of no
particular intrinsic merit. It is amusing and shocking rather
than unhealthy, but we have had to consider whether its
lighthearted treatment is a manifestation of simple natural
exuberance or of a disposition to debase and trivialise sex.
In arriving at our respective conclusions we have been able
to accept accounts of the performance which suggest that
in the stage context, with skilful lighting and appropriate
music, and played rapidly, the impact of this work could
well be quite different from that made by this illustrated
printed script. We are, however, neither required or
empowered to make any classification of the performance
as a whole, nor do we believe that our judgement in the
matter of the particular script before us is, in fact, a pre-
judgement of any production of the review."
Reconsideration of books (as distinct from subsequent
issues of a previously considered serial publication) has been
infrequent since the Tribunal began functioning in 1964. Last
Exit to Brooklyn was first considered in 1967, and in 1971
given a less restrictive classification (Decision No. 281, New
Zealand Gazette, 15 April 1970, Vol. I, p. 669). The existence
of section 20 in the Act is clear indication that changes
of classification as a result of changing community attitudes
were contemplated by the legislature at the time of enact-
ment. On the only occasion the Supreme Court considered
an appeal from a decision of the Tribunal, 2 of the judges
in their decisions made points which are particularly relevant.
Woodhouse, J. said:
"There must be an adequate understanding of contemporary
standards and aspirations, and the decision must be made
in terms of the real world as it actually is today", and
Haslam, J. said that the Tribunal should "exercise its statutory
powers with due regard to changing conditions", Robson v.
Hicks Smith & Sons Ltd. [1965] N.Z.L.R. 1112-3.
Factors in this reconsideration include:
(1) The history of the stage production. It was first
produced in 1969, so was not much more than a
year old when the book was first considered by the

Tribunal. It has been produced since in several parts
of the world, and in particular has been running
continuously in London for over 4 years where it
has undoubtedly been seen by thousands of visiting
New Zealanders. It is part of the contemporary
theatre and as such we feel it should be reasonably
available in New Zealand where interest in con-
temporary theatre (not by any means confined to
the major cities) has markedly increased in the past
4 years.
(2) The changed nature of what is generally available
in this country today in the way of published
material reflected also, for example, in changing
attitudes towards sexual relationships, attitudes
which for significant sections of society are a lot
less restrictive than they were 10, or even 5 years
ago.
Our reconsideration leads us to the view that general
availability for adults of this book is not injurious to the
public good.
The Tribunal classifies Oh! Calcutta! as indecent in the
hands of persons under the age of 18 years.
L. M. GREIG, Deputy Chairman.
23 August 1974.

The Standards Act 1965—Draft Amendment to New Zealand
Standard Specification Available for Comment
Pursuant to subsection (3) of section 23 of the Standards
Act 1965, notice is hereby given that the following draft
amendment is being circulated:
Number and Description of Draft
DZ 2238 Draft amendment to NZS 2238:1968 Precast concrete drainage and pressure pipes.
All persons who may be affected by this amendment and
who desire to comment thereon, may, on application, obtain
a copy on loan from the Standards Association of New
Zealand, World Trade Center, 15-23 Sturdee Street (or
Private Bag), Wellington 1.
The closing date for the receipt of comment is 11 October
1974.
Dated at Wellington this 23rd day of August 1974.
G. H. EDWARDS, Director,
Standards Association of New Zealand.
(S.A.—114/2/8)

Ministry of Works and Development—Schedule of Civil Engineering, Building, and Housing Contracts of $20,000 or More in Value

Name of Works

Successful Tenderer

Amount of
Tender
Accepted
$

Civil Engineering
Hamilton Residency: second coat sealing and resealing 1974–75 . . Bitumix Ltd. . . . . . 109,092.70
S.H. 1: construction of Waipahi river bridge at Artherton . . E. A. Van Asperen . . . . 137,433.82
Lower Waitaki Irrigation Scheme: Pukeuri distributary races 2, 2A and 2B . . J. R. Bishop Ltd. . . . . 88,403.85
S.H. 35: Opotiki-Gisborne via Te Araroa: resealing 9.2 miles: Waiapu area . . Bitumen Sprayers Ltd. . . . . 45,164.60
Dunedin-Milton Motorway: construction of Quarry Road pedestrian subway . . Davis and Harris . . . . 26,195.05

Building
National Provident Fund Building, Wellington . . Mainline Contractors . . . . 6,247,696.00
R.N.Z.A.F. Camp, Te Rapa: renew roof on sheds 3 and 3A . . Millers Marathon Roofing Ltd. . . . . 22,611.00
Additions to Wanganui East Telephone Exchange . . Ken Jackson Construction Ltd. . . . . 64,966.56

Housing
Contract No. 10/1231: three single units at Wainuiomata . . A. R. Fuller . . . . 57,600.00
Contract No. 10/1253: three single units at Wainuiomata . . Whitcher Homes Ltd. . . . . 60,329.00
Contract No. 11P/2103: 17 single units in Auckland area . . Keith Hay Homes Ltd. . . . . 276,960.00
Contract No. 17P/397: 12 single units at Hastings . . Beazley Homes Ltd. . . . . 223,927.00
Contract No. 18P/182: five single units at Masterton . . Beazley Homes Ltd. . . . . 89,568.00
Contract No. 22/533: five single units at Hamilton . . Dalbeth and Young Ltd. . . . . 94,311.81
Contract No. 39/30: one single unit at Rangiora . . J. M. Dyhrberg Builders Ltd. . . . . 22,668.00
Contract No. 87/29: two single units at Kaikohe . . Burgess (Kaikohe) Ltd. . . . . 39,529.00
Contract No. 106/113: five single units at Upper Hutt . . E. J. R. Jones . . . . 93,104.46
Contract No. 162/11/72: one single unit at Warkworth . . Beazley Homes Ltd. . . . . 23,815.00
Contract No. 162/22/73: one single unit at Paeroa . . Timjoy Homes Ltd. . . . . 20,042.00
Contract No. 173/11/104: one single unit at Whangarei . . N. B. Haigh and N. L. Allen . . . . 35,253.83
Contract No. 173/22/150: one single unit at Kawerau . . Steens Bros. Ltd. . . . . 20,275.00
Contract No. 185/22/156: two single units at Huntly . . P.T.Y. Homes Ltd. . . . . 37,218.00

N. C. McLEOD, Commissioner of Works.