470 THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE No. 21

DECISION

These publications were imported privately through the port of Auckland in April and were seized as being indecent.

Forfeiture has been disputed so that the books are referred to the Tribunal for classification.

Mr Simpson submitted that both books had been produced in the form of sex manuals ostensibly as educational publications. He considered that a comparison could be drawn with publications earlier considered by the Tribunal The Ecstasy of Sex and The Marriage Bed.

Ann Summers’ own Book of Love Positions is a paper back published in Great Britain. The same models are featured throughout the 128 pages and the accompanying text, although not technical, puts it into the category of a sex manual.

The book can be compared with the publications The Ecstasy of Sex and The Marriage Bed in decision No. 6/84. The Tribunal similarly finds this publication to be indecent in the hands of persons under the age of 18.

Marilyn Chambers’ Sensual Secrets is also a paper back published in Great Britain.

In the introduction Marilyn Chambers says:

“… I’ve tried to pull together the threads of my active sex life into a single volume of personal advice that will stimulate and excite you beyond your wildest dreams.”

The text dwells mainly on the author’s experiences with various sexual partners which removes it from the realm of a sex manual. Most of the book describes heterosexual experiences but the latter pages are devoted to lesbianism, bondage and group sex.

For these reasons the Tribunal finds the publication indecent.

Dated at Wellington this 29th day of January 1985.

W. M. WILLIS, Chairman.

3

Decision No. 28/84.
Ref. No. Ind. 26/84.

Before 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 following publications:

The Amorous Memoirs of Captain Charles De Vane (Sussex Regiment 1899–1902), A Man With A Maid, published by Grove Press, U.S.A.

Chairman: Judge W. M. Willis.

Mesdames: H. B. Dick and L. P. Nikera.

Messrs: J. V. B. McLinden and I. W. Malcolm.

Hearing: at Wellington on the 13th day of December 1984.

Appearances: No appearance of importer, Music World Ltd. K. Wild for Comptroller of Customs.

DECISION

These 3 publications were seized at Christchurch in May 1984. Forfeiture has been disputed so that they have been referred for classification. Venus in the Country and the Amorous Memoirs of Captain Charles De Vane are both written anonymously and are set in Victorian England. Venus in the Country is said to have been first published by members of the Society of Priapus. It relates the sexual exploits of a young girl. The title The Amorous Memoirs of Captain Charles De Vane indicates the nature of the story. Both books are explicit with little plot and with no literary or artistic merit.

A Man with a Maid is also written anonymously and recounts the sexual activities of a man who has been jilted. It was submitted that this book was virtually identical to The Pearl. The Pearl has been considered by the Tribunal on 2 occasions. First in 1969 (Decision 146) where it was classified as being indecent except in the hands of persons over the age of 18, engaged in research relevant to The Pearl and we feel bound to say that there is no relationship between the 2 publications. The Pearl is said to be a journal of faceliae and voluptuous reading. Apparently it was initially published about 1879 in a series at monthly intervals. The paperback copy we referred to was published in 1968 and comprises a reprint of 18 issues published in 1879–1880. Because of its format and its style it justifies the classification then given. A Man with a Maid is a very different publication. It is explicit and as we have said it relates the sexual activities of the principal character. It lacks literary, artistic or other merits.

Each of these 3 publications would have an appeal only for the lewd and prurient and are considered to be injurious to the public good. They are classified as indecent.

Dated at Wellington this 29th day of January 1985.

W. M. WILLIS, Chairman.

3

Transport Licensing Authority Sitting

WITH respect to notice given in the New Zealand Gazette, dated 17 January 1985, No. 6, page 147, the No. 6 Transport Licensing Authority (I. P. Wollerman) advises that the inquiries/public inquiries into the goods service licences of Kevin Carriers Limited, P.O. Box 825, New Plymouth; Mangorci Freezing Company Limited, P.O. Box 825, New Plymouth and on Stewart Erb Limited, P.O. Box 7167, Bell Block, will not proceed on Thursday, 21 February 1985 as advertised.

Dated at New Plymouth this 31st day of January 1985.

P. L. NOCK, Secretary.

1

Transport Licensing Authority Sittings

PURSUANT to section 121 of the Transport Act 1962 as amended by the Transport Amendment Act (No. 2) 1983, the No. 8 Transport District Licensing Authority (F. H. K. Moore) gives notice of the receipt of the following applications and will hold public sittings to receive evidence for or against the granting of them.

SCHEDULE

At the Courthouse, Nelson on Monday, 25 February 1985 at 4 p.m.

A8/85/8 Wadsworth Motors Ltd., amend Passenger Service Licence by adding to scheduled timetable service—Monday to Friday inclusive depart Tapawera 8.45 a.m., arrive Nelson 10 a.m., depart Nelson 1.15 p.m., arrive Tapawera 2.30 p.m. Existing conditions pertaining to pick up and set down of passengers and goods to apply.

At the Courthouse, Blenheim on Tuesday, 26 February 1985 at 11 a.m.

A8/84/95 Crafar Crouch Construction Ltd., Blenheim, new Goods Service Licence.

Dated at Nelson this 30th day of January 1985.

D. N. CLARK, Secretary.

1

Approval of CNG Metering Dispensers

PURSUANT to regulations 36 and 37 of the Gas Industry Regulations 1984, I, Allan William McKay, technical officer, acting under the delegated authority of the chief inspecting engineer, hereby approve the CNG Metering Dispensers listed in Schedule I hereunder for the measurement of compressed natural gas, subject to the conditions set out in Schedule II hereunder.

This approval is additional to and not in substitution for the approval published in the New Zealand Gazette of 29 November 1984, No. 223, page 5379.

SCHEDULE I