WHAT IS A KISS ?

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10612, 10 June 1920, Page 8

WHAT IS A KISS ?

CHARGES AGAINST KENT VICAB. MADE LOVE TO MAID. Is kissing immoral? This question ■ was raised in the Consistory Court which sat at Rochester recently to inquire into charges <4 alleged immoral acts and conduct brought against the Rev. Herbert John Martin, vicar of Holy . Trinity, Old Brompton. Tho first charge was for assaulting, by kissing, Annio Elizabeth Gladys Topping, a domestic in hie sendee, for which ho was convicted at Chatham oa September 13th last; the second was for falsely stating on oath that he had not committed the offence. The third was for saying to tho girl: “You love me as much as you love your young man," and tho fourth was for kissing a domestic in his employ named May Hamilton and saying to her: "Do you know that I love you with all my heart and soul? I purely love you," When an argument arose between counsel as to whether the charges came under the ecclesiastical law, Mr Charles K.C. (tor the vicar), remarked that it was a .startling proposition to him that the mere act of kissing was something immoral. It was certainly indiscreet.

‘‘ln tho Bible was a kiss looked upon aa anything immoral? No,” said counsel. It was regarded as something showing friendship to kiss a girl in your own house. Whether she be handmaid or not. it was not . an, act of personal immorality.

The Chancellor decided that tha charges on the whole came, within the Clergy Discipline Act, and said the evidence would determine whether the kissing was innocent or not. Eventuallv defendant was found guilty on the first throe charges, and Mi Charles asked that sentence should no I bo pronounced, pending appeal.