A YOUTHFUL COUPLE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 21 January 1926, Page 5

A YOUTHFUL COUPLE.

GAVE WRONG AGES TO REGISTRAR, CASE BEFORE SUPREME COURT. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 20. The first troublous episode in the matrimonial venture of an 18-year-old Aucklander, who married a girl of 16 some three months ago, drew to a close at the Supreme Court this morning, when the couple faced Mr. Justice Stringer, having pleaded guilty to making a false declaration under the Marriage Act. The pair were unrepresented, and the Judge turned to the Crown Prosecutor for assistance.

“I understand that no real and proper blame attaches to these young people,” said Mr. V. R. Meredith. ‘‘Ohlet-Detective C-u innings states that they are getting on quite Happily and no moral wrong ha-s been done.” Tlie facts of the ease were' that the boy had married the girl because she had intended leaving home owing to unhappiness. He thought that it would be best for him to give her protection by marriage. Fearing to ask the consent of the parents, the couple gave their ages to the Registrar of Marriages as 22 and 21. 'they left Auckland and returned after an absence of some weeks to be reconciled to the girl’s people, with whom they are now living. Mr. Justice Stringer agreed with the probation officer that in the circumstances it was a comparatively venial offence. ‘‘Possibly had you had more knowledge of the law you would have known that, where for any reason a parent refuses to give consent, a Judge of the Supreme Court- could act in that capacity and give consent,” said His Honour. ‘‘However, you sought a different method. No harm has been done to anyone except that you are both exceptionally young to start out in married life. However, that is done now. and can’t be helped. You have put the Crown to some little expense, of course, and for that I am going to fine you 40s. The girl will be discharged.” The Judge thought it a reasonable case in which -to order the suppression of the names.