Remarkable Abduction Case.

Evening Star, Issue 6842, 4 March 1886, Page 2

Remarkable Abduction Case.

At the Bourke (N.SAV.) Police Court on February 23, before Mr M'Kenzie, P.M., and Messrs Hughes and Cohen, J.P.s.,tho further hearing of the charges against Father Huggard and- six Sisters of St. Joseph’s Convent, for abducting a girl named Louisa Eleanor Moxham, occupied the whole day. Charles Moxham, the father, deposed that the girl left heme on Friday, as usual, to receive a music lesson from the nuns, but did not return. Ho then proceeded to the convent, and demanded his daughter. The priest refused to deliver her up. Next day, under legal advice, he again demanded his daughter from tho priest, who again refused. The father, who is totally blind, ordered his sons to go for her. Henry Moxham, brother of the girl, deposed to going to the convent and demanding bis sister. , The priest refused to give hetup. Ho went again, with his father. On the priest refusing his father’s demand, he said: “At them, hoys,” The witness, with some friends, forced his way into the convent and took his sister away, the priest making strenuous efforts to prevent them. The charge against the mins was hero withdrawn.

The solicitors for the defence, in consequence of the interference of tho accused, retired from tho case.

Mrs Warmoll, sister of tho girl, deposed to the demand, and the priest refusing to give up her sister. Louisa Moxham deposed that she went to the convent, according to arrangement with Father Huggard. Of her own free will she had arranged with Father Huggard to be taken away on Thursday evening. She did not know where to. The arrangement was made with Father Huggard, irrespective ; of her relatives. .

The defendant made a statement extending over an hour and a half. He ssid the girl told him she would not be permitted to attend church anymore, when he-told her he would finj her a school till she was able to provide fbr hcr;:elf. He had intended taking hw away on Thursday, He con-

siclered himself perfectly justified in the course pursued, as the girl’s religion and conscience were imperilled, lie was quite willing to be committed, as he wanted the fullest publicity. The prisoner was committed for trial. Bail was allowed. The general impression is that the accused is wrong in his head. The Court was thronged. The accused applied to have the case tried with closed doors, hut the Bench refused.