A GIRL WIFE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 202, 24 August 1904, Page 5

A GIRL WIFE.

MARRIED AT FIFTEEN. ALLJSGED FALSE STATEMENT. THE GIRL COMMITTED. REMARKABLE CASE. An inleres-ting case came before the Melbourne City Court recently, when a bright, pretty-faced girl, named Margaret Chandler, was charged with making; a statement for the purpose of being married, well knowing the sfime to be false, on 23rd April, 1904. A birth certificate produced during the hearing of the cast showed the girl to be 15 years of age. and even the long dress which she wa« wearing in court did not make her look more than two years older. She was undefended. Mr?. Emily f>. Jones, of Fairfield Park, stated thai, accused was her niece. The gill's father had died about seven years ago, and her mother three years ago. She had lived with witness for about two years prior to February last, when she ran away. Wituess got a warrant out for her arrest, and she was sent to the Salvation Army. On 2Sth April witness discovered that she was married, and was living at Williainstown. Witness visited her, and. in answer to inquiries, accused stated that she had been married under the name of Daisy Ryan. Her proper name was Margaret Sophia Neck, and when witness asked her why she assumed a wrong name, she said that she was afraid that witness would find her out.

Mrs Elizabeth Chandler, residing at Ann-street, Williamstowu, said that she was a sister-in-law to the accused's husband. Rho was present at accused's marriage, "which tock place at Holt's Matrimonial Agency. Accused said her name was Daisy Ryan, that she wag 21 years of age, a-nd that her fa.ther'3 name wfj-s D:ivid Ryan. Witness met her lor the first time on the day preceding the marriage. Tli<e husband was Albert Chandler, witness's husband's brother. Mr Panton, P.M.: Do you mean to *ay that you went there blindly, only knowing the giri for oue da-y, and knowing that your brother-in-law was going to marry her? Did you not make any inquiries as to who sh# was? Witness: I asked him where he met her. and he said she had been stopping at a relative's. What does he dot —He's a labourer. He does anything he can get. Is your husband present?— Yes. Did he know that this marriage was troinn; on? —Yes. Mr Panton: It is a most fortunate thing the lot of you are not up for couspiracy. Herbert -T. Wiltshire stated that he was a clergyman of the Free Christian Church, living at George-street, Fit»rroy. H? was licensed to celebrate marriages, and had been relieving the Rev. J. J. Abbott for close on nine months. He ■nrndwod a declaration signed by the jnarties testifying to the accused being 21 years of age. and also a certificate of ihe marrissre of Albert Rueben Chandler !to Daisy "Rran.

IVIr Punt on: When you performed this ceremony, what sort of a light was it* Witness: A pood light. An: you aore that you are liable to prosecution for marrying a girl under th« ape of 21 years? —I know. Is it your judgment that she is 521 years?—j had tio reason whatever to question the statements made on oath by the witnesses. Mr Pan ton: You are not only t<J question the statements made on oath; you are to exercise your judgment. You, have the responsibility yourself. T will make no further remark. You will have an opportunity of defending yourself. We have had enough of this sort of thing. Did you question the a-oeus-ed as to her age? Witness: May I make a st*.t«ment? Mr Panton: Yes. you can. i Witness: The information was given prior to my meeting the parties. I asked whether she was over 21. and on oath, with thp witnesses present, she declared that she was, and also sign-. *d the statement of the witnesses. Constable Wardley produced a cwti-i floats showing that the accuied was born on the 20th August, 1880. Mr Pan+on: In this case I intend -tei commit this child for trial, but at the

same time I think the police should take proceedings against the whole crowd of them, and the clergyman who married the girl. It is a disgraceful thing that x case of this sort should be allowed under our eyes. A child like that married! It is a farre. (To the accused, who was weeping): Meanwhile you stand committed to lake yeur trial at the criminal sittings of the Supreme Court to be held on the 16th inst. Mr Panton asked if the husband -were present, and receiving a reply in the affirmative remarked that lie did not want to speak to him. "He will have to be prosecuted along with the others," added the P.M. , The girl was allowed to go with Mrs Glover, of the Salvation Army, pendin-r the trial.