YOUTHFUL MARRIAGE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 44, 21 January 1926, Page 6

YOUTHFUL MARRIAGE.

FALSE AGES GIVEN. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Jan. 20. The first troubles in the matrimonial venture of an eighteen-year-old Aucklander who married a girl of sixteen some three months ago drew to a close in the Supreme Court this morning, when the couple faced Air Justice Stringer, having pleaded guilty to making a false declaration under me Marriage Act. The pair were not represented by counsel and were silent. The Judge turned to the Crown Prosecutor for assistance. “I understand that no real and proper blame attaches to these young people,” said Air V. It. Aleredith. “Chief-Detective Cummings states that they are getting on quite happily. No moral wrong lias been done. The facts of the case 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 the protection by marriage. Fearing to ask the consent of their 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.” Air Justice Stringer agreed with tho probation officer that in the circumstances it was a comparatively venial offence. “Possibly had you had more knowledge of tho law,” lie said, “you would have known that where for any reason a parent refuses to give consent a Judge of the Court could act m that capacity and give consent. However, you have sought a different method. No harm has been done to anyone, except that you are both exc.ptionally young to start out in married life. However, that is done now and cannot be helped. You have put the Crown to some little expense, of course, and for that I am goiim to fine you 40s. The girl will be discharged.”

The Judge thought it a reasonable case m which to order file suppression of the names.