ACTRESS KIDNAPPED

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 May 1936, Page 8

ACTRESS KIDNAPPED

’VARSITY STUDENTS’ “RAG.” [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, April 29. The Sydney Sun-Herald Service says: A big party of “ragging” students celebrating Lord Allanby’s in[stallation in the Rectorship of Edinburgh University, stormed the stage door of the Empire Theatre, bound the doorkeeper and the stage hands, and kidnapped Miss Renee Houston, a popular variety star, while she was changing between the acts. Renee, though only scantily clothed, was bundled from her dressing room into a waiting car. The kidnappers’ plans were upset by a woman passerby, and the car was stopped soon after starting. Renee Houston was allowed to return along the street, wrapped up in a rug, and in an hysterical condition. '

Shortly after the kidnapping, two youths told the Manager: “Renee will not be returned unless you give £25 towards a charity for which we are collecting.’’ Renee’s husband is Mr Pat Aherne. He describes the affair as an astounding case of hooliganism. He alleges

that his wife was dragged through the car window. She was rendered black and blue all over, and her terror was increased by the claustrophobia from which she suffers. The husband adds that fifteen students have confessed to the kidnapping. Renee is such a sport that she wants the matter dropped, but the police insist on taking independent action. The University authorities intend to take disciplinary action against all of those concerned. COMMONS QUESTION (Recd. May 1, 11 a.m.) LONDON, April 30. The Sun-Herald says: Several Edinburgh students have been charged by the police in connection with the Houston rag. It is not decided whether Court proceedings will be taken. Mr. McGovern is asking in the Commons on May 5, “If the Lord Advocate will ensure the law being set in motion against the persons responsible for the outrage.”