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Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 984, 14 May 1919, Page 8

;Welhngton Police Coua-t certainly beat all the Movies on Monday last in furnishing the paramount sensation of the week. Howard Nattrass, a local mo-tor-car merchant, head of a firm which has a well-furnished warehouse" in Molesworth street, appeared before Mr F. V. Fraze'r ,S.M. to answer the charge of being a rogue and vagabond m that he was found by night without lawful excuse on the premises of William Strangman, in Fallowfield avenue (off Marjoribanks sereet) on 9th May. The evidence led by the prosecution alleged that Nattrass, who is a married man, was on Strangman's premises endeavouring to get away Miss Edith Strangman '(formerly in his employ as typist) from the custody of - parents. The defendant denied the charge and sought to establish an alibi: that in fact, he was at the Midland Hotel at the time he was charged with being on Strangman's premises. He was supported in his statement by. Aiibrey Gualter, sharebroker and commission agent, who is secretary of the Nattrass Company, and by certain Midland Hotel employees. * * * * Counsel for the defendant at an early stage of the hearing objected to certain evidefice being admitted on the ground that an action was being brought in the Supreme Court by Strangman against Nattrass in which Strangman claimed £3000 damages from Nattress for alleged seduction of his' daughter. After hearing the witnesses on both sides the Magistrate said he was not going to let the alleged alibi stand against the evidence given by Mr and Mrs Strangman and the witness Fahey. No one had a right. to take away a man's daughter by force, but as a Supreme Court action was pending he did not desire to say too much. He did not like to send accused to gaol as a rogue and vagabond. Nattrass, however, would be bound over to keep the peace for twelve months in a personal bond of £200 and one surety of £200. He would also be ordered to pay the costs of the prosecution.