DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 94, 20 December 1913, Page 6

DOMINION NEWS.

YOUNG WOMAN’S ESCAPADES.

[Per Press Association.]

Hamilton, December 20

A charge of theft against a marncM woman, Annie Fernley, in the Hamil ton Police Court, brought to ligb some remarkable facts. The woman who is only 19 years old, ran awa t i from her home at Taihape shortly alter entering her teens, and to avoir arrest and the return to an allcgcc tyrannical step-parent, she disguiset herself as a boy and went about the country earning a living at masculine

occupations. One day she met a man named Fernley, whom she knew previously’, and who was considerably her senior, and the two threw in. lots and went about as mates, taking up drainage and other work together. They held fencing, drainage, and well-sinking contracts around Hamilton two years ago, their employers describing both as excellent workers. At Hastings, about twelve months ago, the woman was discharged lor vagrancy, on Fernley promising to marry her. The couple returned to Hamilton a few months ago, when the woman took up the occupation of domestic servant at a house, from which she was charged with theft.

She was convicted and ordered to ■ome up for sentence when called up-

on. The husband, on a charge of receiving the stolen goods, was acquitted.

FLOODS IN OTAGO.

Dunedin, December 19,

The weather for some time has been very unsettled, heavy showers falling at frequent intervals almost every day. A heavy, fall set in to-day, continuing for several hours, and as a result some low-lying land near the Botanical Gardens was flooded. The water soon receded, however, and no material damage was done. Advice was received from Middlemarch to-night that the' Taieri River is very high. Rain lias been falling

atermittcntly on the hills for about a

week, and there was a steady downpour to-day. The river rose steadily from about 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. The township is under water, and the flood has reached almost to the railway line. If the rain continues the settlers lower down may suffer.

THE CUSTOMS CASES.

Christchurch, December 19. Tlie Customs eases again came up for hearing to-day, at the Police Court. Samuel John McCormick, Christopher

Robert Smith, and James Anderson Campbell were charged t tvithi having stolen, on September 12, 1918, the sum of £24 :I:2s, ;being tJie {property pf J. Chambers and Son. ’Accused each

pleaded not guilty, and wore committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Christopher Robert Smith, James Anderson Campbell, and Samuel John McCormick were charged with having stolen the sum of £-16 011 August 29, 1913,- the property of G. W. Davies,■and were .committed for trial: i :t\