SINFUL MARY SIDON.

NZ Truth, Issue 128, 30 November 1907, Page 6

SINFUL MARY SIDON.

Amours on the Avon Banks.

The nice green, sloping banks of the river Avon, at Christcburch, which look so picturesque by day, are . turned into brothels at night. A statement to make this, but it is practiioally correct. The pornic pranks of the sinful sisterhood a/nd , their temporary lovers are simply shocking ; right . along the banks amorous couples sit, some kissing and cuddljng, and others— the professional harlots— 'doing ' other things. It is their livelihood, and, as a matter of course, they receive "presents" from their male companions m sin. ■Which recalls a yarn .told about ex-Magistrate Beethum.' A Christchuroh lawyer was trying to get a woman of the town off, and remarked, "We all know that these women receive presents." • "Don't say. «• We know," said Beetham ; "say we are credibly informed." But to | get back to scratch. Plain clothes I constables—or constables who wear plain clothes at night only— have been keeping their optics on these banks after the sun has gone to sleep, and vigilance earns them cases. They go to seek for adulterers and they find them. The other night plump, fairfaced Mary Sidon, whose face does not yet show a sign of vice, fell m. She had been parading near the Man-chester-street bridge, and accosted a young man, who apparently succumbed to her blandishments , and allowed his innocence to be violated, for he accompanied Mary along the bank, and they got behind a tree. They were not long there when constables Roberts and Carney, who had been watching events, ,made for the pair, but the man saw them coming, and he made off at a smart pace. Of course, Sidon was captured. Mr Leatham, who appeared for the accused, asked some pertinent questions of both the constables. Roberts i was the first m the box.

Why didn't you give cliase to the young man ?— He Iml a big start. But you knew the woman, didn't you ?— Yes.

And could have got her any time ? —Yes.

'Well, then, you should Gave devoted your attention to the man, and not to have allowed him to escape.Were there any other couples sitting there ?— Yes, two or three. What were they doing'?— l don't k : now.

WERE THEY DOING ANY WRONG ? -No. Could you see them if they did ?— Ob y I think so.

Constable Carney gave corroborative evidence, and said that when he saw the woman meet the man he had an idea what was going to happen.

Mr Leatham said that prisoner told him that her father was dead at Dunedin, a policeman having informed her of the fact the previous night. The woman came of very respectable people (here the girl commenced to cry), and she wished for a chance to go by that day's twelve o'clock express m order to attend her father's funeral. So far as the charge against her was concerned counsel said that only the police saw this offence, and they were looking for it. It was very doubtful if this grossly indecent act was committed m view of • the public.

At this stage it transpired "that prisoner's father had been dead a week, and that she would be rather late for the funeral if released. But the S.M. had no intention of letting her go. He inquired if she would go to the Magdalen Home, and she bluntly refused to do so. As she persisted m this refusal, the Magistrate said he had no option, but to send her to gaol, and he awarded her three months. It appeared that the girl had only just come out of the' Dunedin Gaol, where she did a stretch for soliciting. Mr Day made a few timely • observations at the conclusion of the case. He thought that constables should make a strong effort to catch the male delinquent m these cases.

Station Sergeant Johnston : He had twenty yards start, and the constables hadn't much chance. Mr Bay : The man must be on the ground when the constables approach him. It was very easy to set the woman. The police would he justified m letting both so if they can't get the two.