The Malcoim Episode.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 182, 9 July 1883, Page 2

The Malcoim Episode.

A WELLINGTON ELOPEMENT. ... FURTHER PARTICULARS. [Post.] ! A considerable amcunfc of scandal has been caused m Wellington during the past seven or eight days by the elope* ment of a well-known married man witn, a young lady who has jnst attained her majority. The particulars of the case were made known to us a week ago but were purposely withheld, m the* hope that efforts which were being made to induce the young lady to return to her home might h e successful. The attempt proved futile, however, and the matter is now being the subject of legal proceedings., The man concerned m the affair is Mr Alexander Malcolm late of the firm of Gillett Bros, and Co., merchants, Wellington and Palmerston North, the lady being Miss Williams, aged 21, the daughter of a school-teacher residing at Sandon. m the Rangitikei district. Miss Williams whose personal charms are said to be very captivating, was well known to both Mr and Mrs Malcolm, and during three or four months she resided with, them, she was treated like one of the family. Wishing for a change of scene, she applied for and obtained a situation as governess m a family m Wellington, where she remained until a few weeks ago. During the time she was m Wellington, Malcolm is said to have had several meetings with her, and on more than one occasion was seen m company with her m the public thoroughfares. The elopement took place on the 22nd ult., on which day Malcolm proceeded to the Union Company's office, and took out a ticket for Auckland for the lady, giving the name of Miss Willis. He ~ did not book at the office, and is sup* posed to have done so on board. After securing the passage the pair drove to an hotel m CuWstreet, where they partook of luncheon together, and at 4 o'clock they left for the North m the steamer. Their flight was not discovered for several days. As soon as the painful news was communicated to Mr Williams he immediately took steps to bring his daughter back, but so f BP {hey have not been crowned with bu 9

cess. Mrs Malcolm also lodged an information charging he- husband with wife desertion, and the detectives were set upon his track, but the officers have been unable to overtake the runaway, and are convinced that the couple have gone to Levuka by the s.s. Penguin, which left Auckland on the 29th uH During the past few days, it has been ascertained fr m a Wellington barmaid that Malcolm informed her som« weeks ago that it was his intention to ••clear out" cl Wellington with a female friend, but sho paid little attention to his remarks at that time, believing that they were only uttered m a jocular manner. It has also been found that previous t -his sudden departure he drew money m the Savings Batik belonging to his wite. Bold shares m various companies, and also realised on everything he could lay hands on.