MEDIEVAL METHODS FAIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1921, Page 4

MEDIEVAL METHODS FAIL.

QI'EENSLAND K IDNA ITLIIS SENT TO GAOL. Sydney, Sept. 5. An attempt to apply mediaeval methods in obtaining possession of a child proved a dismal failure for two Queenslanders, and instead of placing them in defiant possession of their quarry behind some doughty fastness, I heir escapade doomed them to languish for six months inside a gaol. Gladys Harlow, a Lancashire lass, employed at a. Brisbane cafe as a waitress, recently formed an attachment with a widower named Artliiu McKenzie, aged 17 years. After a while she confided that her real name was Gladys Linehnn, and that her husband was a pineapple farmer Cornelius Liii'haii. of Klimbah. He bad possession of their four-year old son. Douglas, and. in the circumstances she was far from happy.

The waitress and the widower visited the picture theatre together, and when she said she often longed to have her son with her, McKenzie said he would do something practical in the matter. l|e consulted a boxing friend of l.is named Robert. Jones alias Wilson and the result of their conversation was that Jones agreed t.o go to Klimlmli with McKenzie and Miss Linehnn and recover the child. Jones tool; a brass “knuckle-duster." McKenzie iclie 1 upon a si x-ehainhored tevolver and a box of cartridges. The story of their subsequent proceedings was related in evidence by Cornelius l.inebnii. whose bruised true bore out bis story. While in ids paddock with a neighbour, lie said. lis wife appeared -.ill the scene and n-keil to 5,.,. tile child, whom lie called. lln n the mother seized the child and i a 1 lied M to the verandah. McKenzie app-a.vd and produced a revolver. I inelinn ibreetipou grasped the child. end. while carrying it in his arms, d ties rushed through the gate and struck him in the lace >f,v,M:, | times. partly stunning him. while McKenzie kept him under cover with the revolver. While f.inehnn was dazed and incapable of delctiding himself, the two men and his wife made off with the child. Hut they emitted t.i take such modern devices Us telephones into account. .‘is they were about to leave the neighbouring township in a motor-ear, the police had overtaken them, with the unroinantie

licnci' that they pleaded guilty to charges of being rogues and vagabonds intent upon committing a f-’iou-ions act and of having committed an assault. Jones denied that he mol (be “knuckleduster.” and AleKettzie declared Unit the revolver was unloaded, and both pleaded that they were moved hv deep sympathy towards Mrs Linehnn. Hut the Magistrate agreed with the police view that there was ,1 brutal assault upon a hardworking and decent returned soldier.