A SAD CASE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 875, 6 August 1910, Page 3

A SAD CASE.

«. Christchurch, August 3

A case presenting several unusual features was heard at the Magistrate’s Court to-day when Minnie Pollock, about 22 years of age, was charged with obtaining goods from two local drapery firms to the total amount of by representing to one that she was the daughter of a resident of Chertsey, and to the other, that she was a resident of Rakaia. Accused’s counsel said that she was a woman of very good character, and there was absolutely nothing known against her with the exception of the present charges. She had no guilty intent when she obtained the goods, and fully intended to pay lor them. The articles had since been paid for, and he asked the magistrate to deal leniently with her. The chief detective said that she was a married woman and her husband induced her to marry him secretly. He was a lay preacher. The Rev. Mr Rule, who was in Court, explained that her (accused’s) husband was a student in Otago University. The magistrate; This matter unfits him for the position he is studying for. The chief detective said that, when they were married she returned to her home, and on occasions, her husband went to see her. After the marriage he stayed with her people for a fortnight, but her parents did not know that they were married. The goods had been recovered, and the only redeeming feature about the husband’s action was that he sent up the money, and made restitution.

Accused stated that her husband intended to provide a home for her, and told her to get as many things together as she could. The chief detective explained that she wanted to hide the fact that she was married. Before the man (Pollock 1 went into the family she was a good little woman and went to church regularly.

The magistrate said that it seemed to him to be a very sad history. The husband was not before him, but he would have liked to have had him before him to tell him his opinion of him. This girl apparently was led astray by a man who, by virtue of his position, profession, and age, ought to have done the reverse of what he did do.

Replying to the magistrate accused said that she would go home to her parents to live. The magistrate fined her £5 on the first charge and convicted and discharged her on the second.