SCHOOLGIRL’S EXPLOIT

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 May 1936, Page 9

SCHOOLGIRL’S EXPLOIT

“DAVID COPPERFIELD” EMULATED [PEK PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

AUCKLAND, May 7. Inspired to go adventuring by the exploits of David Copperfield Megan Davies John, the 12-yeai-old daughtei of Mrs E. B. John, of Vogeltown, New Plymouth, who had been missing from her home since Monday, was located to-day at the residence of her uncle, Mr F. W. Sargent, of Birkdale. The child arrived at Auckland on Tuesday and crossed to Birkenhead that evening, staying the mght. at the residence of Mr G. Price. She kept her identity secret, but said she was going to Mr Sargent’s place. When she was taken there on Wednesday, she still maintained silence, and her uncle and aunt not having seen her before, thought she was a relative s child from Wellington. It was not until midday, when Mr Sargent saw an account of her disappearance in the “Herald,” that he realised who she was. c r A pretty girl with smiling face and curly hair, Megan recently saw a picture of the adventures of David Copperfield, and the Dickens character, who tramped over 70 miles immediately ' became her hero . She wanted to sec Auckland, and fulthei afield. The night before she set out she thought about walking to Auckland. when she was in bed. She was not determined in the morning, but when she set out for school, she tentatively put a spare frock beside her lunch in her small school bag. She had no money. She made up her mind wfcien approaching the school, and immediately set out for Stratfoid. After tramping about six miles she called at Mangorei dairy factory for a drink of water and then continued hei way. Presently she was picked up by a motorist who took her about 20 miles to Stratford.

Arriving at Stratford about mid-day, Megan walked about the town and then went to the women’s rest room near the railway station. She told inquirers that she was waiting for someone with whom she was going to Auckland. Her growing hunger was abated by some biscuits provided by the attendant. Then, after dark, she set out on the east road leading to Ohura, and eventually the King Country. It was getting very late, when another motorist picked her up and took her on to Ohura. They reached there early in the morning, and the child immediately set out on her journey again. “It was just getting dawn,” Megan said, “when a man came along in a car and asked me where I was going. I said I was going to Auckland, and he replied that it was a long way for a little girl, and that I had better go with him.” Again the journey was continued, this time without a break, until Auckland was reached about mid-day on Tuesday.