PRIESTS ANNOYED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1278, 30 July 1914, Page 4

PRIESTS ANNOYED.

LADY’S STRANGE CONDUCT.

Insulting and disorderly behaviour at the Westminister Roman Catholic Cathedral was the charge brought against Machilde de Vehnacker, described as a German subject, at the Westminister Police Court recently. At a Sunday evening service, consequent on previous extraordinary behaviour, the defendant was told by Mr Hackett, the sacristan at the entrance to the cathedral, that, carrying out the instructions of the administrator, she could not be admitted. She stamped on Mr Hackett’s foot, endeavoured to kick him, struck at him with her umbrella, and shouted that the place was “a den of thieves.”

In reply to the Magistrate, Mr Hackett said the defendant had beeu attending the cathedral tor some months, during which time she had addressed many letters, some of them of a most objectionable character, to one of the clergy. Witness produced ten letters, covering 68 pages. The priests had warned her, but she had taken no notice. On occasions when she had gone to communion she acted most irreverently, and tried to kiss the priest’s hands, laughing at the same time. Asked if she desired to say anything about the letters, prisoner replied, “Everybody is tree to write.”

The Magistrate remanded her for a medical report.