MASQUERADE SEQUEL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 305, 23 November 1945, Page 4

MASQUERADE SEQUEL

TWO WOMEN IN COURT ASTOUNDING - REVELATIONS (Press Assn.) AUCKLAND, Nov. 22 An astounding masquerade, the lull story of which was told on September •26' in which a woman lived, worked and played as a man for more than 10 years, had a dramatic sequel m the Police Court this morning when two women, one attired as a Man, appeared before the Alagistrate (Air J. H. Luxford), charged with offences under the Marriage Act. The fact that the defendants had gone through a form of marriage before the Registrar in July last and since then had lived together was stated by Senior-Detective J Iretheway. Both defendants pleaded guilty. The two defendants were jointly charged with wilfully making for the purpose of being included in the Marriage Register Book false statements touching the particulars required -to be known under the provisions ot the Marriage Act, by falsely stating that the older one was a bachelor, while the younger defendant was charged with making a false declaration tor the purpose of obtaining a certificate, by falsely declaring 'that the older defendant was a bachelor... Both defendant were smartly dressed. The mother of the older defendant stood behind the pair when their names were called. , 1 ' , _ , , Referring to the older defendant, Mr Tretheway said that, with the knowledge and consent of her mother, who was a widow, she had been masquerading as a male for the past 12 years under a name different from her own.

CALLED FOR SERVICE. “She actually registered as a male under the National Service Regulations ancf it was not until she was called up for medical examination in November, 1940, that it was disclosed to the military authorities that she was a female,” said Air Trethaway. “About 18 months ago she became acquainted with the other defendant, who is a single woman. The older defendant was at that time living with another woman, who was known as Airs (giving the name of the older defendant), but in spite of that alleged relationship the younger defendant became attached to the older defendant in the belief that she was a man. There was a good deal of jealousy between the older defendant and the alleged wife, with the result that the older defendant left the alleged wife and kept company with tha younger defendant. In spite of the knowledge that the older defendant was a female, the younger defendant persisted in the idea of jmarriage, with the result that the older one agreed to this course. The younger woman obtained a form from the-Registrar of Marriages and both defendants filled it in and it was signed by the younger one, who handed it in at the Registrar’s office.”

Continuing, Air Tretheway said ft was necessary for the younger woman to obtain her mother’s consent and the mother gave her consent in the ’ belief that her daughter was marrying a man. Defendants were married at the office of the Registrar in Auck- ' land.

Air King, for defendants, said the facts of the „ ease certainly made it appear to be arf affront to public feeling, but it would seem that there was a psychological background which could explain /the association. The fathers of both women died when they were children/- -tho-’ older defendant’s father being killed in the last war. Both defendants had grown up without the influence of a man. • “MENTALITY OF A MAN.”

“The mother of the older defendant seems to have had an unusual religious outlook, in which she believed that for a person to reach perfection he must become bisexual, as Adam must have been,” continued Mr King. “This must have had some influence on her daughter’s growing up. Early in life she showed male tendencies and other girls were attracted to her.” Mr King said the older defendant had the mentality of a man and worked alongside men for some years. She had kept every position she had as a male. It was principally for economic reasons that she adopted the role of a because the burden of the family struggle was so heavy that she desired to protect her family, home and l mother.

Dealing with the younger defendant, Mr King said she was a twin, the other being a male. The Court, he said, might find some way. of keeping the' girls apart. Counsel added that the girls had informed him that they intended to give up their relationship. “This case is unique,” said Mr Luxford. “Although the offence concerns breaches of the Marriage Act, it has a most unusual background, which- raises a very ' difficult social question. Indecent assaults between males have long been the subject of criminal law, but corresponding offences between females, which 1 understand are very prevalent, are outside the law. I would suggest that the Legislature should give consideration as to whether indecent assaults by females should be proscribed.” Mr Luxford said he proposed to do more than Mr King expected. “This is a most unique case and the first of its kind that I can recollect,” he said. “I propose to admit both defendants to probation for three years on condition that they submit them-, selves to a psychiatrist for examination and assistance, and they remain apart.” \i " The Magistrate made an order that the names of both defendants should not be published.