A DISGRACEFUL CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4217, 20 May 1875, Page 1 (Supplement)

A DISGRACEFUL CASE.

A strange scene, illustrating a strange phase in colonial life, occurred recently at tho Polico Court, Geelong, illustrative of a phase of life too common in the colony. Catherine Cain, a delicate but gooel looking girl, described by her mother as only 15, but exceedingly tall for her years, was charged with vagrancy. The summons had been issued at the instance of her mother, a wiry female of middle age, who rejoiced in the name of Mary M'Cluey. On the defendant's name being called she walked jauntily into the body of the Court. Surmising that some damaging disclosures would be made, the P.ench placed the case at the bottom of the cause list, in order that the motley audience might be dismissed and case heard with closed doors. This having been done, the mother of the girl entered the witness-box and informed the Bench that the defendant (her daughter) had gone to Melbourne three weeks ago, was thoroughly incorrigible, eould not be controlled, and was mixing with very questionable society. The defendant, being asked if she liad any questions to put, advancing towards her mother, asked, " What example, mother, did you lead us live years ago, to drive me the way that I am ?' The complainant replied that she had shown ! her family j.o bad example. Defendant.— What care or protection did you show me ? Complainant.—You were always taken good care of. Defendant.—Did not you drive me from my home and thrust me into the street when I was only 12 years of age? Complainant.—No, 1 did not. Mr. I'anton (to complainant).—Do you withdraw the charge 1 Complainant did not reply, and tho defenI dant then informed the Bench that some J years ago her mother lived with a man to i whom she was not married, and that her I aunt could prove the truth of what she stated. She further alleged that her stepfather had seduced her sister, and because ; he could not seduce her turned her away ; from her home. She had been in service for ! live years, but lately had been living with ■ her aunt in Melbourne. She complained I bitterly that, while she was employed in Geelong, she was constantly persecuted 03' her mother, who , drew all her wages, auel 1 left her nothing to get clothes with. In rcI ply to the police magistrate she said she was j willing to -o to service again if her mother ' would not molest her, but she did not wish her earnings to be taken from her. Her mother observed that all she wanted was to ! keep her daughter from bad company. Mr. ! I'anton asked complainant if she was not : the same woman who hail applied to him : some time since for a summons gainst the defendant, and he had refused it ? She acknowledged having done so. Inspector Palmer said the complainant was of very questionable repute, anil on Sunday her house was full of men. Mr. l'auton ini structed the police to assist the defendant in finding a respectable place where she would : be out of the reach of her mother, and in I discharging her admonished her to take a j warning by tho position of the " old hags" in ■ gaol, and to lead an inelustrious and virtuous ! life.