ENGAGEMENT BROKEN OFF.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 212, 8 September 1930, Page 3

ENGAGEMENT BROKEN OFF.

YOUNG MAN'S BEHAVIOUR. MAORI WOMAN GIVES EVIDENCE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. Frederick Matthews, aged 20, was charged in the Police Court to-day with having been found on premises in "Blackburn Street, Frankton, without lawful excuse. An young Maori woman, Annie Forbes, who said she was a widow, stated that she kept a foster-home in Blackburn Street. Matthews had boarded with her and they had been engaged, but the engagement had been broken off. Since then he had written her letters in which he threatened to commit suicide. Early this morning she was returning from the Maori mission when she found Matthews in her garage, asleep on a wire stretcher.

Asked by the magistrate if she was afraid of Matthews, she replied in the negative, but said other people were. Sergeant Moriarty produced a rifle which he said Mrs. Forbes had brought to the police station last Monday, when she said she was afraid Matthews might do some injury with it.

Constable Peters said he asked Matthews what he was doing in the garage, and he replied that he had called for°a parcel of books. Mrs. Forbes went in and got the parcel, which she gave him. His Worship said that apparently Matthews had a lawful excuse for being on the premises. The charge would be dismissed.

"Thank you. your Honor," called out defendaut in a loud voice.

'You ought to thank him." said the woman, her hands upon her hips "I kept you for weeks.' You call yourself a white man! You are anything but one.' ' °