Petition the to Attorney-General of New Zealand.

The following petition has been sent to the Attorney General:—

"To the Hon. Robert Stout, Esq., Attorney General of New Zealand.

"The petition of John Graham, bookseller, Dunedin, humbly showeth.—

"Whereas your Petitioner has for some time past sold a large quantity of books called the "Fruits of Philosophy," and other books of the same moral tendency; and whereas the said books have been read by a large number of the intelligent people of New Zealand; and whereas the said people have derived great advantage from reading them

"And whereas a large number have not yet read them, to their great loss

"And whereas it is absolutely necessary that they should read them

"And whereas the sale has for some time past been gradually falling off, even although your petitioner has reduced the price from 3s 6d to 2s, to the great loss of your petitioner and the public generally, which is greatly to be deplored.

"Your petitioner therefore humbly prays that you will at once enter a Crown prosecution against him, on the ground that such books are obscene and immoral, so as to extend your petitioner's trade, and thus benefit the people of New Zealand generally, and your petitioner in particular.

"And your petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray.