TOO ARDENT AN ADMIRER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2028, 3 April 1890, Page 1

TOO ARDENT AN ADMIRER.

Melbottene March 25. Considerable excitement was created in the City Court on Thursday last on a charge against a man named "Richard Beattie, who was proceeded against by summons for following Miss Nellie Stewart, the well known actress, and causing her to fear that he intended to do her some bodily harm. Miss Nellie Stewart did not appear in Court, but was by her father, who explained to the Bench that the accused haunted her like a shadow. It made no difference whether she walked, rode, or drove, he was continually beside her. If she stayed in the house he leant up against the outside wall or ga«ed into theback yard from a neighbour's house, which he rents for that particular purpose. She even tried visits to the other colonies as a means of getting rid of him, but without effect—he always turned up at the most unexpected time and place. He had never been actually rude to her, but she was afraid that if his vagaries were not checked he might do her some injury. Detective-Sergeant Ward informed the Bench that he knew the man, who was a hard working stonemason, though somewhat weak in intellect. He had previously indulged in these extraordinary antics and he had been confined in an asylum in consequence. That was when he fell in love with the Premier of Queensland's daughter. The main defence was that the man meant no harm, and that even a cat was privileged to look at the Queen. The Bench did not consider that the case came within their jurisdiction and discharged the defendant with a caution.