Loquacious Lady.

Manawatu Herald, 27 May 1902, Page 3

Loquacious Lady.

CHARGED WITH OBTAINING MONEY BY FALSE PRETENGES. - Ella Mary Carroll, 48, a wellwoman with a remarkable flow of speech, who described herself as a writer, was charged, on remand, before Mr Hopkins, at Lambeth, with obtaining money by false pretences, and with intent to cheat and defrand.—The allegation against prisoner was that she obtained money from several persons by inducing them to purchase tickets for concerts which never took place. The witnesses generally agreed that in selling them the tickets prisoner represented that the proceeds were to be given to the widows and orphans of the “ poor dear fellows ” who had died at the front, but accused, who throughout the case spoke with considerable warmth, denied that she used the words “ widows and orphans.” Prisoner was arrested at her lodgings at Kentish Town as far back as Feb. 21, but she was then in such a bad state of health that it was not until March 17th that she was in a fit state to be removed to the police-station.—Det. Beard now detailed at considerable length the incidents which took place when he first saw accused, and told her that he held a warrant for her arrest.—Prisoner frequently interxapted the officer’s evidence, which she characterised as the “ grossest perjury,” and upon being rebuked by the magistrate, she retorted that it was his worship’s duty to “ Nothing extenuate or set down aught in malice."—Dei. Beard, resuming his evidence, said prisoner told him she did what she could to make the coneerts a success, but did not receive sufficient support to make them pay. —Prisoner said the officer walked triumphantly around bar room with a heavy tread. (Laughter.) If Nansen had found the Nerth Pole, or he had found De Wet, he could not have been more triumphant—the hraggadooia. (Renewed laughter.)— The Chief Clerk: Just listen to what I am going to read.—Prisoner: I will, sir.—The clerk then proceeded to read ever the depositions of the offieer.—Det. Beard suggested the alteration of a word.—Prisoner: You are endeavouring to improve upon the English language. You poor, Ignorant man. What an absurdity. (Laughter.)—Dot. Anders, who assisted in prisoner’s arrest, said he corroborated the evidence of the other officer.—Prisoner: Very early in life X learned that one policeman would swear to what another said. (Loud laughter.) - Answering a question by the magistrate, Det.-insp. M’Carthy said there were previous convictions against prisoner, but they were in the provinces, and there was no one present to prove them.—Mr Hopkins (to accused): You will be tried on an indictment for obtaining money by false pretences, after having bean previously convicted of that misdemeanour. Dp you want to say anything in answer to the charge ? Prisoner; Your honour, I have dona everything in my power to carry on these concerts. I should be very 'sorry to leave your court without giving your honour some explaaa-.

tion.—Mr Hopkins: Anything you say may be taken down in writing and given in evidence against you at your trial.—Prisoner went on to say that she found upon inquiry that no provision was made for the aged mothers of soldiers fighting at the front, and having a very extensive knowledge of the musical and dramatic world she took up the matter, and organised those concerts on behalf of the mothers, but did not receive sufficient support. ' She was seized with pneumonia, the result, perhaps, of having exposed herself rather too freely.—Committed for trial.