WHY SHE LEFT HOME

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9846, 27 October 1924, Page 5

WHY SHE LEFT HOME

HISTORY OF THE MARTIN CASE. AIR, WESLEY SPRAGG’S STORY WOMAN LURKING IN BACKYARD OF RESIDENCE. AUCKLAND, Oct. 26. A. statement regarding the Martin case has been given to tue HeralcTby Alr AVesley -Sprang who is a- longestablislied friend of tlio Martin family, and was closely associated with the ease from the beginning. The statement is as follows: “In view of the positive statement by Bishop deary that tlio immediate cause of the departure of Margaret Martin from home had no connection with any religious views held by her and because that statement (I am quite sure unintentionally) gives support to some dastardly rumors which reflect upon the mother, I think it my duty to give the girl’s - own version of the facts. AVhen the newspapers and tlio public began to make inquiries for information cf her whereabouts, Aliss Alartin addressed a letter to lier mother dated 19/9/24 ns follows“Aly dear mother you will understand why [ left homo so suddenly yesterday. I claim the right to follow my own conscience on religious matters, and I am no longer able to stay with you in view of the attitude you had adopted. For that reason and entirely of my own will, I thought it better' to go. ‘ I am staying with people who are kind, so' I am well looked after. .There is nothing. to worry about. AVith love, from Alargaret.”

“A copy of a second letter of the same date addressed to'the Inspector of Police repeats the reason given in the first letter. It reads, ‘I wish to state that yesterday morning I Jeft home owing to the serious opposition which met my intention with regard to matters of religion. I am quite well, safe and happy. I left entirely of my own agpord, and am equally free in staying away. Should I wish to return there would be absolutely nothing to prevent my doing.’ Air Sprngg continues, “I think there is evidence that both these letters, especially the one to the Police Inspector, were carefully worded under the counsel of her new friends. They were written in the early stages of incident before it would be realised their writer’s action would be the cause of the present unhappy sectarian bitterness, and before It was seen there was need for carefully worded explanations. .That being so I think they may be considered conclusive. Without doubt the religious views such as they were, of a girl of immature judgment, doubtless under very unwise and exceedingly cruel counsel given in connection therewith, broke ’up the Alartin home.

“Emphasis appears to bo laid upon what is called the ‘immediate cause’ of the departure etc. There need he no mystery about this. Airs. Alartin had reason to believe that a v, oman who was lurking in a suspicious manner about, the backyard of her residence, and who ran away when she knew she was being observed. was there for the purpose of inducing her daughter to leave her home (an earlier incident had given reason for that belief), and so she placed the latter under some small restraint. To bo quite explicit she was locked up for the night with ac-oess to her mother to keep her from contact with the woman outside. This was to prevent her fronn doing exactly what she did do immediately the opportunity occurred, that is, run away to her Roman Catholic friends. Since her rctturn home Aliss Alartin lias told her mother that this locking up incident was the ‘immediate cause’ of her running away from home. “There is no' occasion for either foolish or wicked surmise about the matter. I am sorry lam called upon to contradict Bishop Cleary, or to take any public part in this incident. I greatly regret its occurrence in our community because of the cruelty which has been 1 inflicted upon ani esteemed family, and an especially admirable mother. sam also very sorry because of its influence in stirring up unchairitableness and needless antipathies and strife among neighbours who were intended to be friends.”— Press Assn.