BRIDE'S AGE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 118, 21 May 1942, Page 8

BRIDE'S AGE

FALSE DECLARATION

MAN SENT TO GAOL

"Counsel's address seems to be characterised by optimism," commented Mr. Justice Fair in the Supreme Court to-day, when Norman Rupert Cottle, 26 years of age, appeared for sentence on a charge, to which he had pleaded guilty, of having made a false declaration in respect to a marriage certificate. His Honor's reference was to a suggestion by Mr. Noble on the prisoner's behalf that the marriage might be a turning-point in Cottle's life, and that if there was no interference by the parents the girl might make him a good citizen.

His Honor: But she has taken proceedings for divorce.

Mr. Noble: On what grounds is exceedingly problematical. The parents naturally are very bitter to find themselves with a son-in-law with a number of convictions.

His Honor said prisoner had the advantage of youth and a good secondary education, but since 1933 he had been convicted no less than 17 times, and, as well as a bad citizen, he had also been a bad soldier, having absconded from camp. Now he had committed this offence in order to marry a girl 18 years of age. The offence was a gross one against the young woman, and if she could not get a divorce it would be more serious for her than if she could. There was no sign of reform or repentance in the prisoner's conduct. He would be sentenced to imprisonment for nine months with hard labour.