AUSTRALIAN ITEMS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 284, 24 April 1911, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS

GIRL IX BOY'S CLOTHES. CROOM TO A POLICEMAN. At the Beiuligo City Court Marie Lovell was churged with having behaved in an offensive manner in a public place. She appeared in a well-cut suit of men's clothes, and wore a handkerchief round her neck. Sergeant Smith said that the girl was going to the rescue home. There was practically, no offence. Constable Cloode said that at about a quarter to 12 o'clock on the night of the 15th he saw Lovell go into a fish shop in Pall Mail. Witness called her out,and said,""lsn't it true, you are a girl?" She admitted that she was, and that her name was Marie Lovell. She gave her age as 11), and said that she had been working at Durham Ox, and had come from Melbourne twelve months ago. I Mr. Curnow, J.P.: Has she been dressed as a boy ever since 1 Constable Goode: I find that she has I been acting the boy for about three months. Mr. Curnow said he did not think there was anything very offensive in a, woman going out in male attire, but .at the same time it was most unbecoming | and very dangerous as well. The Bench had decided to give Lovell a chance, but I they would advise her to put on proper [ clothes. Lovell left for the Bendigo Rescue' Home. It was stated that she had been working in tile country for some time as a groom. At one place she worked for a constable, and handled a horse which [the constable had some difficulty in managing. The ]ioliccni:iii w,;< not aware of the sex of his ii*si.si::n L until her arrest. Some days ago she arrived in Bendigo by train, tarrying a swag. A GHOST. A.NU A CONFESSION'. The "ghost" mystery has been solved. Residents of Edinburgh-street, Burnley, Melbourne, have for some time been puzzled regarding the strange happenings at ''No. So"—a weatherboard cottage occupier by Mr. William Cunningham and family. Showers of stones have rattled on the roof, windows have been broken, and at dead of .night weird sounds of knocking have proceeded from the walls. Several neighbors were called in, and a close watch was kept. When it was suggested that the noise could be caused by operating wires or strings affixed to the j house, long sticks and clothesprops were procured, and the searchers proceeded to beat around the house. Again the quest was fruitless, Other possible solutions of the mystery were examined,. but also without result Then the searchers decided that "No. 85" was haunted. The Cunninghams accepted the offer of neighbors, and stayed with them at night. After dark "No. 85" was left to itself. Sergeant Luke, in company with other constables, visited the house on the evening of March 13. The noises continued. Subsequently Mr. Cunningham and his wife made a. statement to the police, and, as a result, it was decided to issue a summons against Miss Neylan, a neighbor, on a charge of throwing missiles to the danger of persons. On Sunday afternoon Constable Harris secreted 'himself in a position where lie had a complete view of the surroundings. Nothing transpired until Arthur Cunningham, D aged 8 years, an adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham, left the house on his way to Sunday School. The constable saw him look round cautiously, and then pick up a stone, which he hurled on the roof. The performance was repeated when young Cunningham returned from school. Then Constable Harris emerged from his hiding-place, and taxed the boy with the offences. The boy admitted he was the culprit,' and said in explanation that "he threw a stone on the roof one dav, and it caused so much fun that he kept' it going." The police were not completely satisfied that young Cunningham was wholly responsible for the noises heard at late hours of the night, when the boy was supposed to be in bed. They plied him with questions, but he persisted tnat "he did the lot." The charge against Miss Neylan was' listed for hearing at the Richmond Court but, after Sergeant Tumbull had explained the circumstances of the case it was withdrawn. '