MARRIED AT FIFTEEN YEARS OF AGE

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2242, 20 November 1886, Page 3

MARRIED AT FIFTEEN YEARS OF AGE

Firz Roy Geokge Radermatheh, who re- > ded in Tadema-road, Chelsea, apppared at Wandsworth police-court, recently, to answer a summons, at the instance of his wife, Annie Marian Radertnather, who sued for a maintenance under the new Act i elating to deserted wives. Mr Frank Stafford appealed for the complainant, and stated that it was a marriage of infants, illustrating the ease with which children were able to run away and get married without consent. She was 15 years of age it the time of her marriage, which was solemnised in June, 1882. The defendant met with her as she was on the way to school and took her to Ramsgate, where they were married before the registrar. The defendant was 19, but the ages were represented to be 23 and 22 respectively. When they returned to London the defendant's father met them, and provided a house for them, and he and his daughters lived with them. A quarrel arose, and a constable was called to remove the complainant from the house, but the officer then refused to interfere. Subsequently the door was slammed in her face by the servant, who acted under the direction of the defendant, and his wife then went to reside with her sister. The complainant, a ladylike young woman, was called and gave evidence to the above effect. When they were married the defendant was described as a comedian, and she as an actress, but she had not acted. After heating the evidence of the father of the defendant, who >tated that he turned both husband and wife out of the house, the magistrate suggested a settlement, and the wife then agreed to accept 10s per week, the father promising that the amount should be paid.