EXTRAORDINARY SCENE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 135, 9 June 1910, Page 6

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE.

MRS. HAWKES AND HER LONG-LOST CHILDREN. I FREMANTLE, June 1. Amongst the passengers by the outgoing mail boat China to-day were Mrs. Hawkes and her long-lost children, whom she recently discovered in West Australia, after a heart-broken search -through half the civilised world. Mrs. Hawkes was taking her children home with her to England under an order of the court recently obtained.

Shortly before the China sailed the divorced husband of Mrs. Hawkes went aboard. Be travelled under the name of Howard. The presumption is that he was prompted by paternal instincts to accompany his children. That,, however,.is mere conjecture.

"Howard" was followed on board by a woman who claimed to have an interest in him. She clamoured to see him, and her behaviour was such that she had to be requested to leave the ship. At this the unfortunate woman collapsed, and was carried ashore in a semi-conscious state. On the wharf she screamed and fainted by turns.

the unfortunate woman collapsed, and ■was carried ashore in a semi-conscious state. On the wharf she screamed and fainted by turns. la the meantime a motor-car dashed up to -the wharf, and a policeman and a civilia.il jumped out, shouting for the ship to stop, 'because they held a • debtor's warrant ior the arrest of Hawtes. Preparations were made to enable .the motor party to get aboard the steamer, which by this time was swinging out in the stream from the stern. Before the attempt was made, however, a man ran up and produced to the constable and the civilian from the car a receipt for the payment of the money referred to in the -warrant. They were satisfied, and the captain of the China -was informed by signal that it -was '•'all right." The preparations for the departure of the ship were then resumed, but' the woman, who had gone aboard to see Hawkes, created a series -of fresh scenes, and as the big steamer drew away from the wharf she rushed forward, screamin", "Fred! Fred!" Water-Police Constable Kestel ran forward and seized the frantic woman just in time- to prevent, her going into the harbour.