"BETTER HAVE MARRIED."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12818, 18 March 1905, Page 2 (Supplement)

"BETTER HAVE MARRIED."

At Newport, Mori., Thos. A. Lewis, a baker, 21, of Cross Keys, was summoned by Elizabeth Rowlands, to show cause, etc. The case bad been adjourned to obtain medical evidence as to whether the child was fully developed. Mr. Cooper, in again opening the case for applicant, said she was 23 rears of age, and ho understood that defendant was of the same age. At all events lie told the girl so. Mr. Lloyd (defending) said as a matter of fact defendant was not ret- 21. Mr. Cooper said complainant,was a single woman. Defendant was in the employment of his mother, who was married again, and whose name was now Mrs. Onions. She kept a shop and a baking business at Cross Keys, which defendant managed. The parties had been keeping company, and defendant promised to marry the girl- Soroo time at'or that she went to Cardiff to »see her sister who was very ill, and subsequently died. Whilst she was there the wrote him as to her condition, and defendant scut her a, loiter in reply, ill which lie said: —"I have been given to understand that there is another attraction at Cardiff basides your sister, and I am inclined to believe the same. You promised to write, and you did not, and 1 take it ' for granted that you are finishing and the I promises between Us are over; and I wish to be in future, yours only,—A Friend." Complainant wrote again, telling him what her condition was, and saying that she did not wish tc have the promise of marriage broken. He wrote again on June 8 as follows: —"Miss Rowlands,—l received your letter this morning, in which you state that you did not know until you last wrote that you were in trouble. Go to a doctor at Newport . . . and anything in reason I will pay; or, if you are afraid to go to one in Newport, go to one in Cardiff, where you are not so well known. . . . I am free to the world, and I will take good care not to bo trapped again by a lady of Poutywain." Mr. Cooper, continuing hi,-! remarks, said ho had testimonies as to the girl's character, and ha could contradict the suggestions contained in defendant's Inters. She had been a very respectable girl up to this time. Complainant gave evidence (.earing out the statement of her solicitor. She had known defendant about two years, lie Unit asked her to be his wife on March 17 last, and asked her several times after that, but she replied that she. could not definitely promise. The child (a boy) was horn on November 30, or early an December 1. Mr. 11. Lloyd said lie was between the devil and the deep sea.. Under these circumstances defendant was bound to admit the i paternity. He had never told a lie about it, but had always admitted about his relations with the girl. The Bench, in the result, made an order for the payment of 4s per week till the child was 14 years of age, a guinea to the nurse, a guinea to the solicitor, and 13s Court expenses. The magistrates thought it would have been better if the young man had married the girl rather than have gone into Court and exposed such an affair.