SECRET WEDDING ECHO.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5259, 2 April 1928, Page 4

SECRET WEDDING ECHO.

FALSE AGE IN LICENSE.

ACTRESS BRIDE TO PAY FINE.

Arrangements for marriage made hastily by a young actress had serious consequences at Clerkenwell. In order to facilitate the ceremony, which took place before parental consent was obtained, the bride, Miss Margaret (Peggy) Shotter the actress, wiipngly stated iher age. Miss Shotter; recently became the wife of Captain Alastair Miller, who is well known ip motor racing circlless,.

Captain Miller was at one time in the Irish Guards, and during the war became a flight-lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps. Of late years he has distinguished himself as a racing mctorist. and has fre-.y.H. I ntly taken part in competitions, at Brook-lands. Captain Miller has been twice married. His former wife obtained a divorce from him in 1926. The marriage t’o Miss Shotter took place on the day on which that lady was to have played the part of a pieri’ettei at the performance of the revue' “Clowns in Clover.”

Miss Shotter was summoned in the name of Margaret M. Miller lor making a false statement at the St Paneras Register Office on November 29 for the purpose of. procuring the ’icense. 'When Mr. Gwatkin, for the Public Prosecutor, began to explain the circumstances Mr Walter Frampton, defending, intimated that the offence was admitted. Mr Gwatkin pointed out that when Miss Shotter applied for the 'marriage license she had to make a declaration stating whether sihq was a minor. She gave her age as 21, but as a result of inquiries it .was found she was only 18.

Mr Frampton told the magistrate that Miss. Shotter regretted'what she had done, but she had no knowledge that she was committing an offence. She was married to a man sh& had known for many years, and the ceremony was? expedited for. the simple reason that she had been reheaus’ng for some considerable time for a new play, which was to be staged on November 29. Her health broke down at the end. of rehearsais, and Captain Miller suggested that she should abandon her theatrical career a,nd go to the south of France. She had not obtained her father’s consent to the marriage. It was a properly regulated affair, and counsel thought it was difficult to take a serious view of what she did. Miss Shotter thought that the simp, lest way of marrying without giving notice to her parents Was by describing herself as of full' age. It was untnue that her father had 1 forbidden the marriage. In asking that a light view of the matter should be taken by the magistrate Mr Frampton remarked that he' did not see that there was much difference between a young woman of 18 calling herself 21 and an elderly spinster bf 45 representing herself to be 35.

Mr Dummett (the magistrate) : I suppose she is, ip an affluent position? Mr Frampton: Yes. Shei is living with her husband.

Mr Dummett said he was not quite satisfied that Miss Shotter did not appreciate what she was doing when she made that statement. It was dif,ficult to rid one’s mind! of the idea that she had soinq motive in doing so, because it was pretty well known, even to young women of 18, that. if they .desired to marry before 21 they must get the consent of their parents. It was unusual for a woman to make ,out that she was older than she was. The magistrate added that it must be clearly understood that these solemn declarations for legal purposes must be regarded! as matters of the utmost seriousness and import. In the circumstances he did n’ot think it was necesary to fine Miss Shotter the full amount. She must pay £25 arid five guineas costs.