THE MARTIN CASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1924, Page 4

THE MARTIN CASE.

- —— ANOTHER STATEMENT

AUCKLAND, Oct, 20. A statement tegardiug the Martin case was given to the “Herald” by Mr Wesley Spragg, who is a long-estab-lished friend of the Martin family, and was closely associated with tho case from the beginning, libs statement is as follows: In view of the positive statement by Bishop Cleary that the “immediate cause” of the departure of Margaret Martin from home “had no connexion with any religions views held by her,” and because that statement (1 am quite sure unintentionally) gives support to some dastardly rumours which reflect upon the mother, 1 think it m.v ilutv to give the girl’s own version ol the facts. When newspapers and public began to make enquiries for information of her whereabouts. Miss Martin addressed a letter to her mother, dated (sept. l»th. as follows: “My dear Mother,—You will understand why 1 left home so suddenly yesterday. I claim the right to follow my own conscience on religions matters, and I am no longer able to stay with ynu in view of the attitude you had adopted. For that reason, ami entirely of my own free will, I thought it hotter to go. 1 am staying with people who are so kind, so I am well looked after. There is nothing to worry about.

With, love, from Margaret.” A cop\ of the second letter of the same date, adressed to the Inspector of Police, repeats the reason given in Hie first letter. It reads: “1 wish to state that yesterday morning T lett home, owing to serious opposition which met my intention with regard to matters ol religion. T am quite well, sale, si ml happy. I left entirely of my own accord, aild am equally free in staying away. Should I wish to return, there wolud he absolutely nothing to preient my doing so.” Air Spragg continues: I think there is evidence that both letters, especially tho one to the Police Inspector, were carefully worded under the counsel of her hew friends. I hoy were written in the early stages of the incident, before it would he realised

that their writer’s action would he the cause of the present unhappy sectarian bitterness, and before it was seen that there was need for earefullywordetl explanations. That being so. I think they may he considered conclusive. Without doubt religious views such as they were, of a girl ot immature judgment, doubtless under very unwise and exceedingly cruel counsel, given in connection therewith, broke up the Martin home. Emphasis appears to lie laid upon what is called “immediate cause” of the departure, etc. There need lie no mystery about this. Mrs Martin bad reason to believe tbiil a woman who was looking in a suspicious manner about the bat-K----vard of her residence, and who ran

iiwav whim .-he knew she was being observed, was there for the purpose of inducing her daughter to leave her homo (an earlier incident had given the reason for that belief), and so she placed the latter under some small restraint. To be quite explicit, she was locked up for the night in a room with iiceess to her mother, to keep her from contact with the woman outside. This was to prevent her from doing exactlv what she did do, immediately

opportunity occurred, that is. . tun away to her Koman Catholic friends. Since her return home. Miss Martin I has told her mother that this lookingup incident was the “immediate cause” of her running away from 1 home. There is no occasion lor either foolish or wicked surmise about tho matter. I am sorry 1 ant called upon ito contradict Bishop Cleary, or to take any public part ill this incident.

'1 T greatly regret its occurrence in our ' ciimmiinit v. because ot the cruel t.. c ' which has been inflicted upon an esv I ieditable family and an especially ait- ] mirablo mother. 1 am also very sorr\ because of its inllnem-e in stirring up 1 tincliaritahlcncsp ami needless antipathies and strife among neighbours who were intended to lie friends.