THE RUNAWAY GIRL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1814, 29 July 1913, Page 4

THE RUNAWAY GIRL.

WELLINGTON BARMAN CHARGED. . (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Dunedin. July 28. At the Police Court to-day, Albert Percy Olding, who gave his ago as 23 .years, was charged with taking an unmarried girl, agod 15 years and G months, from tho control of her parents. Evidence was given by tho girl's mother (Mrs. Perry). Sho stated that she knew acoused in Wellington, wliWe 'she kept refreshment rooms. About tho end of April sho and her husband came to'Dunedin for a holiday, leaving hor daughter in a situation, but before they returned tho girl had left the placo, and it was discovered that she had been living with accused. About tho end of May the parents and daughter left, and came to live in Dunedin. On. July 1G tho daughter left for work, but about midday the mother got a telegram from Oamaru saying that she did not intend to return. Accused was arrested in Christchurch that night. On one occasion tho mother had had trouble with tho gdrl over accused, and gave her a thrashing. Tho girl, then went away, bu,t returned next aay.

The father of the girl also gave evidence to the effect that the trouble hail Arisen over accused keeping company with her. Ho said that accused had told 'him once that ho was married to the girl, ■but had subsequently admitted that lie was not.

The daughter gave evidence with reference to meeting accused on July 15. She said that she liad written to liim, and had asked him to take lier to Christchurch. Accused had been a waiter at the Hotel Cecil and a barman at the Pi«r Hotel, Wellington. She was not happy at homo, as her father was "always growling ot her" about accused. Olding was committed for trial. Bail was allowed in 'his own recognisance of ,£IOO, and two sureties of .£SO each.