A SINGULAR CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3205, 28 April 1911, Page 5

A SINGULAR CASE.

A YOUNG GIRL’S PREDICAMENT. A COURT CHARGE. [.SPECIAL 10 TIMES.] AUCKLAND, April 27. A singular case came before Mr. C. C. Kettle at the Magistrate’s Court, in which a respectable looking girl, 17 years of age, was charged with vagrancy. Chief 'Detective Marsack explained that the girl had been formally charged with vagrancy, as she absolutely declined to return home. The action had been taken to try and save the girl. William Henry Ellis was called, and stated that he wanted to marry the girl, but she could not do so without her mother’s consent, as she was under age. In answer to Mr. Kettle, the witness said that he did not induce the girl to leave her home in Wellington and come to Auckland. He did send her £l, because he thought if she came to Auckland she would want money. He had lived with a woman for about ten years, and was maintaining his two children by her. She had gone to Australia.

Mr. Kettle : You know this girl came up here against her mother’s wish? Witness: Her mother gave her consent to the marriage in Christchurch, blit since then raised obstacles. The witness added: “After this girl was kind to my kiddies I have kept those children the last three and a half years, and you are holding me up to be a scoundrel.”

Mr. Kettle: Will you induce this girl to go home with her mother? Witness said he would endeavor to induce her to return to. Wellington, and would promise not to encourage her to leave her mother. Mr. Kettle then quoted from a letter sent, “Never mind what your mother says ; I shall always be on the railway station at Auckland.” Witness admitted that it was wrong to have written that letter. He also said that Dr. McArthur, S.M., had warned him not to write to the girl, saying if he did so the facts would be sent to the Inspector of Police at Auckland. Mr. Kettle said they were trying to rescue the girl from the danger ahead. Then, turning to the witness, he added in a stern voice, “Stand down, sir, stand down : I have done with you.” Witness: “If you will give me a chance to exolain ”

Mr. Kettle: “T will give you no chances. You are trying to ruin this girl’s life. Stand down.”

His Worship then asked the girl, “Will you go back to your mother? Can you not see what is in store for you? Will you return home?” The girl: “I will go back with my mother to-night if Mr. Ellis is left alone.” Mr. Kettle: “He won’t be touched.” The girl made the promise required, and the information was withdrawn.