RUNAWAY LOVERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 219, 16 September 1930, Page 8

RUNAWAY LOVERS

, IN COURT TOGETHER.

GIRL CHARGED WITH FRAUD.

COUPLE FROM CHRISTCHURCH

PARENTS OPPOSED TO MARRIAGE,

Two young lovers, who ran away together from Cliristchurch, appeared in the Police Court at Auckland to-day. They were Mavis Good, shop assistant, aged 19 (Mr. Fawcett), and Eric Neville Hill, caterer, aged IS (Mr. Hall Skelton). . . \ ■ , ■ ,• ■ . .

Mafvis Good pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining credit by fraud, in incurring a debt of £6 7/11 with ai city firm, and not guilty to two charges of stealing money and theatre tickets of a total value of £7 9/5, the property of a city theatre. Chief Detective Hammond, who prosecuted, said that under the circumstances he . would withdraw the latter two charges.

"The girl belongs to Christchurch, and got in touch with Hill, who will appear later on a vagrancy charge," said Mr. Hammond. "They worked for a while in Wellington, and then came on to Auckland, where Good got employment as an usher in a theatre." The girl went to a city grocery firm, said she was "Mrs Hill," and that her husband was going to take over a restaurant, and also that they had a fashionable flat, and she obtained goods by that means'. "Not satisfied with taking down one firm," continued Mr. Hammond, "she visited a number of other places, and altogether sho owes about £70.

"Would Have To Live On Air." "She and the young man have been living together as man, and wife," said the chief detective. "Their parents won't allow them to get married, and even if

they did they would have to live on air. They have 110 money, but this young ' -woman is pretty good at obtaining credit. I produce ia note from Hill, found in accused's purse. It runs like this: 'Can you get a loan dear. I have rung up and Ave are arranging a party to a cabaret. Do your best, dear.' "She .has got; the goods, and they will have to whistle for them," concluded the

chief detective, "but I do feel sorry for accused's . landlady. Accused . ran up a

big debt there while she .was in w.ork." "I am appearing for Hill and I suggest that they be tried together," said Mr. Hall Skelton.

"They hava been together too long," retorted Mr. Hammond.

"This young lady is not of a loose character," pleaded counsel. "Both of these young people want to get married. I suggest that your Worship place her on probation and send her back to Christchurch. Hill has been working, but he lost his job." Mr. F. K.\ Hunt, -S.M.: He'll get a ]ob elsewhere if: he is not Careful.

. Mjr. Hunt placed Good on probation for three years, the terms being that she make restitution of £10 and remain ia the charge of Major. Annie Gordon -until she can he sent foaclc to Clll Ist* church.

A Youthful Romance. "Tins case starts with a, romance," said Mr." Skelton, in defending. Hill, who was charged with being idle and disorderly •with insufficient means of support. "Bpth these young people fell in. .love and wanted to marry. • Their .parents objected and they decided to bolt. They came to Auckland and started. work at a theatre. Accius ed has a good - job to go ' ito in .a. restaurant, but his people ask that lie be home. His parents are wealthy, Christcihurch people, and he can hardly be charged with being idle and disorderly." "This young man and the girl have been under observation," said Mr. Hammond. "I recently- interviewed Hill and he statement, as (follows: 'For the past six weeks Miss Good and I have been living, in a flat. I represented I was' a married man 'when I got the flat and have since been asked to leave."' The chief detective said he had asked accused, about the note he had produced in the previous case, and accused had-said: "Oh, she, is working." Accused, owed.£6-10/ for, rent for the flat, but, claimed -that somebody owed him £20 for wages. He had no prospects, and certainly had aio' money.. . , Mr.-Hunt: .He has been exploiting the girl. ■ . ■ Mr. SkeltonHe has had a position offered •to him, but his father -wants him to go home.

''Grossly Unfair." Counsel asked that if possible a conviction should not 'be entered against. accused, and Mr. Hammond said he had no wish, to see accused sent to gaol, or even .convicted. Mr. Hunt: In the meantime, though, the girl he has" taken away and ruined has been convicted. Mr. Skelton: That was on another Detective Hammond suggested that accused be changed, with the girl, with obtaining credit by fraud, and that the idle and disorderly charge 4>e It is. grossly unfair that she should go away with a conviction and have to make restitution. ' , Mr. Skelton: He'll have to take his share of , ~ 'Mr. Hunt: I think'Tll place Sum on probation for two years and order him •to make -£6 17/11 restitution. .