GIRL’S SAD STORY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1006, 24 June 1930, Page 1

GIRL’S SAD STORY

THREE MONTHS’ GAOL FOR NEGRO CONDUCT OF HOUSE The evidence of a young half-caste Maori .girl,, whom he had. professed to befriend, resulted in a conviction being recorded against Charles Henry Marrs, an American Negro, in the Police Court this morning, on a charge of allowing his premises to bo used as a house of ill-fame.- Marrs- brought forward a glib defence, but Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., definitely declined to believe his story, and the man was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. Marrs, whose premises were at 118 Ilobson Street, pleaded not guilty to the charge through Mr. W. IV. King. He appeared on summons and was described as a cleaner and presses. The half-caste girl said she had lived at Marr’s house for about two months, when she had been arrested for theft on the information of the negro During that time Marrs had brought many men to her and showed her money he had got from them, though he had given her none of it. All she had received in those months was 4s for doing some washing. Witness admitted taking £2 from Marrs’s purse A male witness said Marrs had offered to find him a “lady” friend. Witness had given him £1 and was introduced to the half-caste. Marrs* who told his story without a pause, said he had been approacned by the girl. He let her have a room in his house for 7s 6d a week, but, as she was hard up and had no work, he said she need not pay until she found employment. Marrs declared that he had taken a great interest in the girl and the men she went out with. He liked to have them brought to the house, and declined to allow her to go out with one man whom he discovered to be married. On one occasion only had one of the girl’s friends stayed in the house all night, and that was without his knowledge, Marrs added. Evidence was called by the defence to show that. .the girl was not of good character, -but Mr. F. K. Hunt, S M.. said such testimony had nothing to do with the charge against Marrs, who was convicted. Sentence of three months’ imprisonment was imposed, and the magistrate advised the police to withdraw the charge of theft against the girl, who had some claim to the monev she took. No evidence was offered on the charge.