A SHOCKING STORY.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 114, 13 May 1920, Page 7

A SHOCKING STORY.

GIRL AITO STAGE ARTIST. MAN BEFORE THE COURT. A vaudeville artist named Franklin John Smith f24) was charged before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M"., to-day that on AprU 18 he committed rape on a girl of seventeen years. The girl, a domestic servant, stated that on the day in question (a Sunday) she came to town from her place oT employment ■at Epsom, and, after visiting some relatives, went to Johnson's dining rooms in Hobson Street to see a girl friend who worked there. Her friend told her about a man wanting two girls for the stage. . PROMISED £8 A WEEK. Juet then accused came into the rooms and. spoke to them. He eaid he wanted two girls for vaudeville, and asked witness if she would go for £5 a week. She [replied that ehe would have to consult j her father and mother. Accused left I them, but came 'back later and asked witness if she had consulted her parents, land what she thought about going on j the stage. Tshe Teplied that she hadn't seen her parents and didn't know, what to do. He invited her to go with him to see the manager and make arrangements. He eaid the manager was just along the street, and she went along the street with him. Going along the street he sai4 that he would give her £8 a week. He asked if she danced, and when she said she went to dances every Saturday night he replied that he could easily teach her fancy dancing. TO "SEE THE MANAGER." They went to a house in Vincent Street and he asked Her to sit on the verandah while he went to find the manager. He returned in a minute or two and said the manager was out, but would be back soon, and he invited her into a room to wait for the manager. Witness went on to allege that ehe was assaulted by three men, and two of them bo frightened her with threats that she did not cry out. The case is proceeding.