KNIGHT IN MELBOURNE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 63, 19 March 1913, Page 3

KNIGHT IN MELBOURNE.

INQUIRIES RESENTED

Melbourne, Monday

Included in the large number of passengers on board the steamer Port Lincoln, which made port to-day, was Rev. Albert Knight, the clergyman who was at first thought to have lost his life by falling over the cliffs on Clanborough Heads, Yorkshire, England, and Miss Fanny Grimes, with whom he disappeared from Yorkshire. Many people felt interested in ihe arrival of the man and woman whose doings have attracted world-wide attention, but those who awaited the Port Lincoln’s arrival were disappointed, for the notorious pgir left the vessel in a motor launch, amidst cheers from the passengers on the steamer! jl Drs. H. F. McLean and G. T. How--1 ard boarded the Port Lincoln shortly before 2 o’clock. They were accompanied in tire Customs launch by several press who were, however, not allowed to board the vessel until the clean bill of health had been certified. The temporary, end I to notoriety of “Mr and Mrs Kin^’ ! came about an hour later, when Mr ; A. Y. Bramwell, of the Victorian immigration Department, accompanied by an, assistant, slipped off from the pier in Holland’s launch Imogen. Directly Mr Bramwell boarded the vessel he sought out the ex-vicar, and requested, on behalf of the department, the payment of the difference in money of the assisted and full passage fates. Mr Knight, without the slightest demur, paid over the £lO required. Immediately the money was paid Mr Knight and Miss Grams, who wore apparently ready and waiting to depart, stepped down into the Imo 4 e:i. and *et mu for Port Melbourne, jvbcrs they landed. Mr Knight was dressed in a quiet lounge suit, and looked more like a city clerk than a cleric. Mies Grimes wore a navy blue costume piped with green, with a blue toque trimmed with a white feather. She looked quite 25 years of age. As the pair were being carried away the passengers gave three cheers. Knight waved his hat and Miss Grimes her handkerchief. Mr Bramwell stated afterwards, “The whole affair only took twenty minutes. The immigration authorities gave me instructions to collect the money, that is all. After that I washed my hands of them altogether.” During the latter portion of the voyage Knight’s popularity was more enhanced than detracted from by the notoriety that surrounded him. Miss Grimes is described as being companionable and quiet, but everyone spoken to among the passengers and crew were enthusiastic about “Mr King.” Before leaving the boat Mr Knight made a statement before the captain. There were dozens of cases in Leeds, he said, of girls of quite youthful age being met on their way home from work by men who trapped and enticed them into all kinds of terrible evils. This had become a most serious and increasing danger in the town, and the facts came under his notice through the agency of Miss Grimes, who had thrown herself into the work of rescue. In many of these cases, and particularly in two cases which he had in mind, girls had been trapped by procurers for South American cities

The records of the National Violence Association would show that for his work in tin's connection he had been specially thanked. The number of women and girls whom he, working in co-operation with Miss Grimes, had saved from a terrible fate, and for whom they were now to suffer, was very large. The nature of this work was such, and the fact of Miss Grimes’ co-operation with him was in a sense so compromising, that slanderous tongues began to work. At first these slanders were spread privately. Then they were attacked more openly, until he was told in public that his work in this direction, taken with attacks, public and private, which were being made on their character, must cease, or that his capacity for good work in the church would be ruined. This was conveyed indirectly from the church authorities, and the ruin of his

reputation and that of Miss Grimes weighed upon him so heavily that it overcame all other considerations. To prevent the impending ruin he took the step he had taken. * In a statement at Capetown, Rev. Albert Knight said that the voice of slander had compelled him to take some steps. The slander had implicated Miss Fanny Grimes. “To prevent

impending ruin, I took the step I had taken,” he said. “It may have been a mistake, but I am not the first to make a mistake, and I am ready to bear the consequences.” Knight, or “King,” asserted at Capetown hat at no time even before he had left England or since had

there been anything but innocent relations between him and Miss Grimes. They had occupied separate cabins, and although travelling under the name of Mr and Mrs King they were only nominally husband and wife. Concerts and dances enlivened the long ocean trip from Capetown East to Melbourne, and Mr Knight was a moving spirit, and a host in himself as an entertainer. “The cessation of wireless messages,” said one of the passengers, “temporarily lifted the cloud from the pair, and they plunged into everything that was going.”

What sudden decision led Mr Knignt to take the great step may rot be known, as he steadily refused to discuss it. Late in the afternoon Mr Knight and Miss Grimes were met in Spencer street, and questioned. Mr Knight absolutely refused to say anything. He declined to make any communication for publication, and said if he were further questioned he would give the inquirer in charge.