VICAR KISSES SERVANT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2128, 15 May 1920, Page 4

VICAR KISSES SERVANT.

QI'KSTIOX OK PROPRIETY. Improper acts mid conduct wore alleged against Iho Kov, Herbert John Marlin, vicar of Holy Trinity, Old Bromplon, a I a Consistory Court at Rochester, conducted by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Mr F. H. L. Erringhm, assisted by clerical assessors.

The specific allegations were that oft various dates between April and August of last year the vicar had. kissed two domestic servants in his employ — Annie Elizabeth Gladys Topping and Florence May Hamilton.

it was slated that a fine of 4.0 s and costs was imposed on the vicar at Chatham Police Court for “assaulting and kissing’’ Annie Tupping on September 19th. 1919. Further it was alleged that on one occasion Mr. Marlin said to Florence Hamilton: —“Do you know that I love, you with all my heart and soul. . . I purely love you.” And that he made a similar remark to the other servant maid. At the outset Mr Ernest Charles, K.C., for the vicar, complained of the general nature of some of the charges, no specific dates being given, and argued that he knew of no ease which went so far as to say that a kiss given in a private house to a servant was an immoral act under the Church Discipline Act.

Kissing might he indiscreet, but it was a startling proposition to him that it was anything improper. In the Bible a kiss had been regarded as a greeting which showed friendship. Sir Hume 'Williams, K.C., for the Bishop of Rochester, pointed out that the kissing was against the will of the girlsf and that the Rev. Mr Martin had been guilty of conduct dangerous to the reputation and unworthy of the character of a minister of religion.

The Chancellor held that all the charges came within the tlergy Discipline Ac I, and Mr Charles gH\e notice of appeal to the Dean’s Court of Arches on.the point, of law. In regard the the charges. Mr Charles said his client must plead guilty to the three relating to Miss

Topping, as the proof of the conviction and the facts disclosed in the positions were conclusive evidence. Sir Hume Williams said under those circumstances he would offer no evidence in the ease of the girl Hamilton, which did not come before trie police court. The Chancellor stated that his sentence would be given to the bishop. He ordered defendant to pay (he costs of the prosecutor. Sir Hume Williams asked that the vicar should give an undeitaking not to officiate pending the announcement of his sentence, but the Chancellor ruled that he had no power to enforce that. Sir Hume Milliams: It is a gra\e scandal that after this conviction Mr Marlin should continue to carry on the services.

Defendant undertook to lodge his appeal within 14 days.