Legal oddities of the day

Legal oddities of Australia and Oceania

Papua New Guinea seems to hold the global championship in the severity of punishment for adultery. In Madang district (ancient Papuan laws that have state status are in force), deceived husbands are not only allowed, but also ordered to behead lovers of their wives. Before execution, the convict must eat the finger of his mistress.

For example, Australian legislation is extremely humane. The term of life imprisonment (capital punishment in this country) cannot exceed 25 years. An Australian taxi driver can be fined if there is no hay bundle in his car (the rule exists since the times when taxi drivers were replaced by coachmen). In addition, in Australian cities you cannot appear on the street in dark clothes, soft shoes and shoe polish on your face. But you can be fined, just walking: the ban on driving on the opposite (right) lane is valid on all roads, including on rural hiking trails.

Laws regarding clothing exist in Melbourne. A man can be fined if he appears on the street in a "dress without straps." There are no restrictions on other types of women's dresses for men in the city.

Residents of the New Zealand city of Longburn, outraged by the attacks of cats on defenseless birds, adopted a law prohibiting cats from leaving the house without three bells around their necks.