GIRL DISAPPEARS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 27 September 1924, Page 5

GIRL DISAPPEARS

SECTARIAN ISSUE INVOLVED

AUCKLAND MYSTERY SOLVED

(nr TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ah /p , Sept. 26. Ail eltorts of securing a happy settlement of the case of Miss Margaret Martin, the Epsom Grammar School protect, have so far failed. The <nrl who left her home eight days ago&because of singular circumstances in no nay reflecting upon her family conditions, and her mother, Mrs. D G. Martin, residing at- 25a Carlton Gore Road, met again to-day without the formality of a conference, but they did not succeed in reaching a complete reconciliation. . Those most intimately associated with jthe negotiations now fear that the prospect of such a termination is not too substantial, and some of them, indeed, are inclined to think it is rather remote.

An authoritative statement puts the present position in this way : “No arrangement has yet been made under which the daughter could return to her mother under conditions which would he tolerable to the mother.” From the community point of view the common question since public discussion of the case has been: “What is the core of the mystery?” Some authoritative light can now be turned upon it. The whole difficulty sprang from a matter of religious belief or tendency, .and now rests upon it. There has never been any suggestion of lack of affection between the principals, nor has. the character of their household ever been assailed. In plain terms, the girl has acquired an interest in a religious faith other than that practised by her folks. On the other hand, it is contended by those who have not been able to support her mood that this religious development may not have been free of external influences. The legal position as to her remaining out of the custody of her mother is defined thus by a barrister : “The Chief' Justice had before him in 1914 a case that held some points of similarity to this. His Honor then decided that the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to make an order respecting the custody of infants during the period of infancy, that is, till they attain the age of 21. On that occasion, on the mother’s application, an order was made as to. the custody of a female infant of 17 years of age. The'Chief Justice said the Infants Act of New Zealand gives the widest possible power to the Supreme Court to deal with the •custody of persons up to the age of 21, and he knew of no law that compelled the court to do what a girl of 16 or 17 years may choose to ask, although no doubt many cases would arise in which the court would consider the wishes of children who were no longer of tender years. But the court first of all had to consider the welfare of the child, and if the welfare of the child demanded the interference of the court the court had power 1 to deal with the child’s custody. That is the general principle of the law.”

WELL CARED FOR. The legal position, however, is not being pressed. It ,is now stated with authority that he girl had been housed in the private home of an adherent of the Roman Catholic Church. It is stated further that Miss Martin has been and is being well cared for, fed, clothed and housed by persons other than her mother; Naturally the main subject of discussion’ at Thursday’s unique conference was the question of the girl returning, unconditionally, to her mother’s home, where, it is incidentally pointed .out, she has always been well cared for in circumstances of harmony and affection. Another question discussed was an allegation that the girl has been subjected to certain religious influences by a person who was named. As regards this allegation it was frankly conceded by a representative of the church that, the Herald is informed, it was quite wrong for _ any person in a position of responsibility providing special opportunities for exercising an impressive influence on a school girl to ‘ ‘do anything to upset that girl’s religious beliefs without the knowledge and consent of her mother.” DISAPPOINTING CONFERENCE.

On the. principal question concerning the girl returning home to her mother the discussion between the parties is described as having been very disappointing. One side hoped the girl would have been advised to return borne at once without any conditions being stipulated, but this hope was not realised. It is stated sh<y was advised to return home on condition that she should have complete religious liberty, but the mother could not accept that condition, a$ it was believed that such freedom would in practise be tantamount to maternal acceptance of a definite change in the daughter’s religious faith.

It had been mentioned by the side on which the girl appears to be nearest at the moment that if she went home on such conditions she could in a few months after settling down return to that side for instruction. One feature °f _ the conference is emphasised, and this is the fact that while no influence was exercised m any shape or form tending to encourage the girl to refrain from going home, neither was there any generous counsel to go home without any conditions whatever. In the meantime the girl remains with the same family that housed her and kept her well as “a free agent” during the a cutest neriod of her mother’s anxietv.