CASE UNDER THE DESTITUTE PERSONS ACT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12270, 14 May 1903, Page 6

CASE UNDER THE DESTITUTE PERSONS ACT.

AMUSING CORRESPONDENCE.

At the Police Court yesterday forenoon a young man named Edward Clarke was charged before Mi. 1. Hutchison, S.M., with being about to leave the colony without having mado provision for the future maintenance of his unborn child. Defendant, who pleaded not guilty, was represented by Mr. J. R. Reed, and Mr. J. Alexander (instructed by Messrs. Devore and Martin) appeared for the complainant. ' After having briefly stated the ease Mr. Alexander placed complainant, a young woman of about 20 years of age, in the box. She said she first walked out with defendant about September last, being at that time employed as a barmaid in an Auckland hotel. Subsequently defendant left for Karangabake, and from there had written her several letters. Those wero handed in, and contained soveral very endearing expressions. In one oi two of them defendant subscribed himself "Yours till death," in another ho pleaded to bo allowed to retain the young lady's photograph in remembrance of happy days spent together, and hinted that its presence helped him to bear the burden of the parting. He also frequently asked if a certain other young fellow was still "hanging about," and advised her to " choke" him off. On various occasions (said witness, continuing her evidence) the defendant had promised to " see hei through." Cross-examined by Mr. Reed: Witness said that in addition to the dofendant she had walked out with two other young men (one a returned trooper) during September, and about December or early in January one of them sent hei a medical instrument. She had told the young man who purchased the instrument of her condition, but denied that there had boor any impropriety between them. This concluded complainant's evidence, and the further hearing was then adjourned till Friday morning, on the application of Mr. Alexander.