A Strange Ambition.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 May 1910, Page 4

A Strange Ambition.

AIIHOKESS IX SEARCH oi<'

EXPEIUE.NCE,

The strange ambition of a. young ■authoress to live the story she was unable to write, because ot her lack of experience, had its sequel at Alaryleljono Police Court. Wearing a black costume, a Large black straw hat and a long silk scarf, Madge Champion, aged eighteen, an authoress, residing at Westborne Square, PacUlington, was charged with attempting to obtain money by means of a worthless cheque. Mr Walter E. Brown, manager of the Haysuater branch oi' the London County and Westminster Bank, said t.hut just before 1 o'clock p.m. on March 5, the accuesd callad at the bank anil explained that she had an appointment there to meet her guardian, Lady Hope, and their solicitor, for the ptfrpose of opening an account for her. The solicitor was to pay in £400. To save time, lie (witness) gave her the signature book to sign, and she wrote the name of the Hon. Vera Carlston, giving her .address as tj-1 Westbourne Terrace, Ba-yswater. As neither Lady Hope nor the solicitor arrived, lie allowed her to have a cheque book on the understanding that none of the cheques were to be issued *ntil the money had been paid in. She then lefit, saying she would arrange for Lady Hope and the solicitor to call oiii the Monday. They did not come, however, and on the Tuesday one of the cheques was brought to the bank by a firm of wine merchants made out for 30 shillings. Mr Freke Palmer, defending, said the accused was very eccentric, and her instructions to him were most extraordinary. She told him she had led a very lonely life, and as she was unable to write her story from her past experiences, she decided to live a different life, and live ffiie altory she intended to write. Something came over her to go to the bank and get a cheque book, but she never expected to he successful, and when she got it she started using the cheques. Tho accused was remanded, and an order made rthat she should be medically examined.