ARREST ON MONTEREY

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 October 1939, Page 4

ARREST ON MONTEREY

UNUSUAL AUSTRALIAN CASE. [per press association.] AUCKLAND, October 16. While a detective was conducting inquiries on board concerning a married woman and her 12-year-old daughter from Melbourne, passengers arriving by the Monterey from Sydney were forbidden to land. The arrival of the ship alongside Prince s wharf was delayed for almost half an hour, and it was some time after she berthed that passengers were permitted ashore. In the meantime, Detective Cromwell arrested a woman in one of the cabins

on a provisional warrant issued from Melbourne. '■ She later appeared in the Magistrate’s Court charged with unlawfully taking an unmarried girl under 16 out of the possession and against the will of her parent and guardian, and the person having lawful care and charge of her. The charge was dated at Melbourne on October 12. Detective-Sergeant Walsh said the accused was a resident of Melbourne living apart from her husband, who was a prominent citizen. She was the mother of a girl aged 12 and a boy aged about eight. A short time ago she paid a visit to relatives in America, and on returning to Melbourne she took her daughter away from school

without, her husbapd’s consent. She left with her daughter, and in Sydney booked passages for both to San Francisco, stating that she intended to reside there permanently. When she left Melbourne. DetectiveSergeant. Walsh continued, the husband laid an information against her. and a warrant was obtained for her ari<‘st. A provisional warrant was made out in Auckland, and it was executed by a detective on the arrival of the Monterey that morning. The ar-j rest was effected after considerable! difficulty, he said, adding that the police. held both the mother and the daughter in custody. Applying for a remand until Tuesday, Detective-Sergeant Walsh advised that the husband intended coming to Auckland by the first available ship. It was possible he might then be present in Court.

Representing accused, Mr. T. Henry agreed to the remand, and applied for bail in her own recognisance. He said she had a letter of credit for £220, and a, condition of bail could be that she would hand the passports for herself and the child over to the police. "In reference to the difficulty encountered by the police in arresting the accused,” said Mr. Henry, "she had been advised that some attempt, might be made to take the child from her i-i Auckland. When she knew the police were on-board looking for her she did everything she could to assist.” Mr. Henry said the matter would possibly be settled, although the Court might have to make some further pronouncements. Acting under instructions for the husband. Mr. Richmond sought custody of the child, saying the accused was agreeable to her being taken into his own home. “After seeing the little girl it does not seem that she should be under official control,” he added. The rcwiest ■' as granted In reply to the Court a-cused sa’-l her passports were in the hands of the. police, who also held one part of her

letter of credit. The other part was among her effects on board the ship. The Magistrate, fir. C. R. Orr Walker, 5.1.1.. granted ths remand, and fixed bail at £boo. on condition that the. passports and the letter of credit re-J

; mained in possession of the police. > Applying for suppression of the' ■ name, which was granted, Mr. Henryj . said it appeared to be a matter which, • largely concerned the husband and the- 1 j child. , ‘