A YOUNG GIRL’S MARRIAGE

Northern Advocate, 3 May 1932, Page 6

A YOUNG GIRL’S MARRIAGE

FALSE .DECLARATION ALLEGED. WIDOWER FOR TRIAL. (Special to “Northern Advocate.”) HAWERA, This Day. ■Charged with wilfully and knowingly making a false declaration under the Marriage Act for the purpose of securing a certificate from the registrar, and with unlawful carnal

knowledge of a girl over .12 years but under 10 years of age, Michael Francis Landers, a widower with three children, came before the Hawera Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Hewas committed for trial on the first charge, but the presiding Justices dismissed the second after Detective Meiklejohn had stated the ease for the police.

The propriety of proceeding with the second charge in view of the marriage of the parties was queried by counsel on the ground of public policy. The parents of the girl, he said, had requested the police not to proceed with the charge. Evidence was given by the registrar of the marriage by him of the parties on March 24, and the issuing of a further certificate for re-mar-riage on April 2!). In the latter case the consent of both parents was received. ' The girl looked older than her years. Corroborative evidence of consent was given by' the girl’s mother.