DEFIED BAN FOR LOVE OF STRANGER

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20504, 21 May 1938, Page 16 (Supplement)

DEFIED BAN FOR LOVE OF STRANGER

Girl returned Home and Gassed Herself

Defying hpr father's ban, a 17-year-old girl kept an appointment with a 1 man—a stranger—to take her to a ' dancp. j Hul thp man did not kpep the tryst, i and the girl, bitlerly disappointed, re- | turned lump and gassed herself. ; The tragedy was revealed at the inl quest at Barnet. Herts. on Betty Elvira j Easton. 17. a clerk, of East Barnet, i Her father. Mr .Tames Archibald j Easton, a builder's foreman, told the | coroner that his daughter was upset j when he told her not to keep the api polntment made the previous night ! when she attended her firm's dance. She disobeyed him. but returned home later the same evening and said ! that the young man had not turned ! up. j She went to bed after expressing rej gret that she had disobeyed him. Next morning he found her lying j gassed on the kitchen floor. "Like a wise father. Mr Easton I warned his daughter against promis-

cuous friendships." the coroner. Mr T. Ottaway, told the jury. Father’s Duty "He did not approve of her going to a dance with a young man who was a comparative stranger. He rightly pointed out to her that, she had accepted an invitation from a young man whom she had seen only once. "Mr Easton's action may he oldfashioned according to modern dictates. but he is the girl's father, and he had a right and a duty to look after her upbringing. "It was the natural line to take by a father interested in his daughter’s welfare, and who wanted her to grow up as one of the tender plants and as the polished corners of the temple.’ "His daughter resented his objection. and cried about it. but on her return she expressed contrition, and. as far as Mr Easton knew, the whole thing was over.” The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while temporarily insane."