“ESCAPED NUN.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2166, 21 August 1920, Page 3

“ESCAPED NUN.”

THE CASE OF SISTER LIGOUKI

SECTARIANISM RAMPANT

(post’s- Special Correspondent.) Sydney, August 10.

I-t is a question whether Archbishop AJ'annix will be allowed to return to Australia. But lie lias certainly succeeded in leaving with this country a hitter legacy of sectarian hatred, *and the results arc being seen in many directions. It is only in the last few years that the line of sectarian cleavage has appeared in the Australian community, but it is now a sharply-drawn one. There was, for instance, almost a free light between women in the Town Hall to-day. They had gathered to pass “loyalty" resolutions, as a setoff to the pro-Jerger and pro-T.W.W. demonstrations; but some enthusiastic Irishwomen improved the shining hour by getting in and trying to move amendments. They were rescued, with difficulty, by the police. The excited Loyalists were in a mood to tear them to shreads, if they could have got; at them.

But the most remarkable evidence •of strong sectarian feeling has arisen in connection with the ease of what the newspapers call “The Escaped Nun.” Here is the story: Miss Bridget Partridge, being then only IS years of age, came to Australia from Ireland ten years ago. A year later —that is, nine years ago, when she was 19 years of age —she entered the Mount Erin Comfort at Wagga, New South Wales. On Sunday, 24th July last, Sister Ligouri (formerly Bridget Partridge), in full convent attire, walked out of the grounds, and went to a nearby house where her friends, Hr and Mrs Burgess, resided, and telephoned lo the Presbytery. She told the priest there that she did not intend going hack to the convent. .V little later two sisers from the convent came to see her. After a talk, she went away with them. •Soon alter 8 o'clock that evening, the nun appeared at the Burgess house. -She was in her nigh! attire, without bouts or stockings. She -aid she had decided to escape in consequence of the treatment accorded her when she returned; and she could only do that by slipping out of bed and-running away when left alone in her room for a minute or two, -She was greatly agitated, and asked for-belli and protection, .she was taken to another house, and aside comfortable. ‘

The convent authorities, at b.dl) telephoned the police, said that a, nun was missing, and asked (hat ,-leps he taken for her immediate recovery. A search party#of the

police and the woman's eo-rehgmn-ists was formed, and scoured the neighbourhood of Fite convent. Inc Burgess home was first visited. Ihe -eareheYs did not seem much impressed by Mr Fu ryes s’ assuram-e * hat the mm was safe and eomt orl;ible. They tracked her flown somehow to the house of a Mr and Mrs Thompson, and they practically be--ieyed the place Unit night. Some of (hem wanted to break in, but were persuaded ayninst it. fne ibompsims telephoned for police protection; and the police, appealed to by both sides, tried to keep the peace. Soon after daybreak .Mrs Thompson telephoned for a doctor. He and the police inspector came at once. Ibe doctor pronounced the mm to be completely sane and normal. The police inspector .thereupon urged Hie convent representatives to go away, which they did.

The Thompson's house, however, became tbe centre of an angry buzzing. It appeared to lie under con--1; 111 1 surveillance. Tbe convent people made it clear that they veie determined to get the nun back into Iho institution. On the following Tuesday the Roman Catholic Bishop for the district, Bishop Dwyer, Mr J. .1. Byrnes—-who seemed in some way to represent the Roman Catholic eommunit> and the Inspector of Police, visited the I hompson house and demanded to sec Sister Ligouri. They were assured •die was not there —lhaC she had ymie. They refused to believe themselves outwitted, hut were allowed to search the house, ami she was not there.

As a matter of fact, Sister Ligouri was taken away in a motor car on the Sunday evening, right tinder the noses of the watchers. She was taken to the house of the Rev. W. and Mrs Tonehell, a well-known Congregational minister, at Kogarali, Sydney. Here she remained quietly while the clamour over “the missing nun’’ rose more and more loudly.

The next move by the Unman Catholics brought the whole affair into the newspapers and prominently before (lie public. Bishop Dwyer >wore an information in the Lunacy Court that “Bridget Partridge, known as Bister Mary Ligouri, at Wagga, a person deemed, to be insane, is without sufficient means of support.” This brought the complicated processes of the law into motion. Bister Ligouri ■ must be found and the issue decided: Was she, or was she not insane ? A warrani was issued for the arrest of Bister Ligouri. *

The police, for some days, were completely at a loss, ineu last Saturday, nearly a fortnight after the nun’s escape, they received information which led them to Mi Toiichell's house. A detectiu- arrested the nun shortly after midnight on Saturday. Accompanied hy Mrs Tone hell she was brought at once into the city, and lodged in the Keceplion House, which L an institution for the accommodation of people suspected of mental weakness. She was treated with the utmost courtesy and consideration by

lho police. By i.ho time the woman wa's brough! before a Magistrate in Lunacy 'jurisdiction, on Monday, Aaigus!. Plli. the whole community was interested. Protestant bodies everywliero were passing resolutions demanding that the woman be Justly treated, while the Orange Lodge announced that il would _raise a couplet- of thousand pounds, if neees--mfy, to fight the Roman Catholic ituthoritie.s.

The woman, on her appearance in Court, made a most favourable impression. She is tall, fair, of striking appearance and evident culture, and seems much younger than her age (28). -Her brown hair is cut qjbort and carefully brushed. Her manner, except for evident nervousness, is calm and collected. The police witnesses testified that she seemed perfectly sane and normal. She was, of course, remanded for a week’s medical observation, the usual practice. A stir was caused in the Court by the appearance of Mr T. J. Ryan, K.C. Mr Ryan, of course, is the ex-Premier of Queenshind, and the virtual leader of the Labour Party in the Federal Parliament. He announced that he appeared for Miss Partridge and for Mr and Mrs P. J. Minahan, as. next friends of Miss Partridge. Mr F. B. Boyce, son of a notable and aggressive Archdeacon of the Church of England, and a very well-known barrister, was already sitting beside Miss Partridge, as her recognised counsel.

Air Boyce protested against Air Ryan’s appearance in this manner. M iss Partridge had not instructed him.

• Air Ryan said that Miss Partridge was not capable of instructing anyone. His authority came from Mr Alinahan, as Miss Partridge’s friend. Air Boyce most vigorously protested. He declared that Air Minahan had never seen Miss Partridge until that ladv came into Court.

(It should be explained, perhaps, dial Air Alinahan is a somewhat exiieme member of the Sydney Labour movement. He is a member of the State Parliament, and is closely identified with Roman Catholic movements generally.) Afr Ryan said that Aliss Partridge the previous day had expressed a wish to see Mrs .Minahan.

Miss Partridge ma.de a statement in a low voice to her counsel —something to I In' effect'that Mrs Mma--11 a it, whom she had never seen before. had called at the Reception House the previous day and ottered her friendship. Mr Hoyee: Will Mr Ryan pul Mr,. Minahnn in the witness-box. and 1 will ask her if she ever saw Miss i’a r!ridge before yesterday? Air Ryan (violently) : 1 will conduct my ease in my own was’. V\ hen I think- lit to put Mrs Minaimn in the witness-box 1 will do so.

The Magistrate said he was not satisfied as to Mr Ryan's standing in the ease. However, the point did no! matter. The (piestion was smiply one of a remand for medical observation, and he took it there was no objection to that. The remand was agreed to aeeordinyly, but the patient and her iTiends bad a small triumph by obtaining an order that no visitor should be alk * wed to see Miss Parlridye unless Hie visit was ayrceable to Miss Partridge herself.

[The Court has since adjudged Miss I’arlridye to be sane, and her release was ordered.]