INQUISITIVE GIRL.

Shannon News, 3 September 1926, Page 2

INQUISITIVE GIRL.

OPENS CORRESPONDENCE

WHILE IN CHARGE OF POST 5 OFFICE. At the Magistrate’s Court at Hunter ville on Tuesday, before Messrs W. G, Grey, J.P., and C. J. Powell, J.P., a girl of 18 years appeared to answer two charges, laid under Section 91 of the Post and Telegraph Act, of opening correspondence, which passed between two young ladies, one of Silverhope and the other of Halcombe. Constable Thompson said that the girl had been acting post-mistress at Silverhope in place of her mother, She had admitted opening letters, and said she had done so because she had had reason to think that the letters contained something regarding herself.

The evidence of the young ladies whose correspondence had been tampered with went to show that the letters w&re just friendly epistles. They had been opened in a very rough way and little attempt had been made to conceal the fact that they had been opened.

The witness residing at Silverhope said that as far as she knew accused had a good character. It was not suggested that the letters were opened for a dishonest purpose and she had heard of no information contained in the letters being divulged. Constable Thompson gave evidence to the effect that the accused had signed a statement, which was in the nature of a free and full confession. In subsequent interviews 6he had maintained consistency and in no way endeavoured to avoid the truth. He knew her as a good girl apart from this inquisitiveness.

11l reply to Mr Jones witness said that the office in which accused worked was a very dilapidated building. Tbe nearest house was some distance away,, and it was a lonely place for a young girl, who would have a lot of time on her hands. He was certain that accused had opened the letters out of sheer curiosity and had mentioned nothing of what she had read.

Accused pleaded guilty to both charges and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence, bail being allowed.