A FAIR ADVENTURESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15650, 2 July 1914, Page 8

A FAIR ADVENTURESS.

SHOPKEEPERS VICTIMISED.

THE CHRISTCHURCft CASE.

YOUNG WOMAN SENTENCED.

/ 0 [BY TEMOKArn.—OWN* correspondent.]

CmusTCHUHCH, Wednesday.

Titf Magistrate's Court was crowded this morning, ""ft great many persons being anxious to see Nrssie Carter, the young woman who was alleged to have " taken in" so neatly a local jeweller. They

' waited in vain, and towards noon, ChiefDetective Bishop, addressing the Bench, j : —"I don't know whether these : people are waiting to see the unfortunate L woman, but it is just as well.to tell them that she won't appear.here this morning." In tho afternoon, Mr. H. W. Bishop, S.M.. was on the Bench, and the ease wan heard with no spectators. Tho accused was hardly visible above the dock. Young, pretty, and neatly dressed in a blue tailor-made costume, she pleaded guilty, and elected to be dealt with summarily. 011 the two charges (1) that 011 June 6. 1914, she obtained from John Dufeu and Company one pair of shoes, valued at £1, by means of falsely pretending that they were to bo charged to 'the account of Mrs. Henry Cotterill. of j Christchurch; (2) tlmt on. June 29, she obtained from Watson and Company, a gold watch and ring, valued at £13, by /alsely pretending that she was a niece of j Mis. T. Gowlishaw. I A Previous Record. The Magistrate!: What aro the facts? Let me see her list. Chief-Detective Bishop : She was sentenced last year to two years reformative j treatment on a charge similar to these. ! The Magistrate : How is blio out now ? j

It was stated that the accused was first sent to the Salvation Army Home for 12 months. Afterwards sho was ordered to undergo two years' reformative treatment on October 30. She was released when she had only served about five months. Ilie Magistrate: How did she get out? Chief-Detective Bishop: The Prison Board let her out. The Magistrate: Were there any special circumstances . Chief-Detective Bishop: No, she made the application, backed up by some friends who had a situation for her, She cleared out from that situation, and her license was then cancelled, and a warrant for her arrest issued. The Magistrate What is the position now so far as tho Prison Board is concerned ? Reformative Treatment. Chief-Detective Bishop: She goes to Addington for reformative treatment. Tho Magistrate: What sort of reformative treatment do they gefat Addington ? Chief-Detective Bishop: They undertake to reform them. The Magistrate Well they, have got some very hard ones to reform. \ Chief Detective Bishop: That is quite right, but they keep them separate from the ordinary class of women. „ The magistrate said that on the first charge, of stealing the pair of shoes, he would sentence the accused to tlireo months' imprisonment with hard labour; and on the other charge he would order another year's reformative treatment, acting on the expiration of the previous term. Send the Bill to "Father,"

It was on June 10, according to tho Christcliurch Star, that- Nessie Carter wanted now footgear, so sho called at Dufeu's, in Colombo Street. She sorted cut a nice pair of shoes, and put them on, leaving the others to bo mended. Oil this occasion sho was masquerading as the daughter of Mr. Henry Cotterill, and she desired the bill to bo sent to " father" at the A.M.P. Bi'ildings. The repairs were to be sent to Mrs. Cotterill's residence. In due courso the repairs were neatlv executed, and sent out to Mrs.

Cottcrill, but sho protested that they were not hers. No, they are your daughter's," said the shopman, " she loft them when sho got the new shoes." Mrs. Cotterill explained that no shoes had been got, and tho firm promptly nut tho matter in tho hands of the police. At a Boardlnghouse, Mrs. Parkenson, who has a boardinghouse in Park Terrace, was also taken in over the young adventuress. She received a telephone message purporting to come • from Timaru. It was from a Mrs , wanting a double room for herself and her husband, and a single room for the daughter. The parents were coming by motor-car, and the daughter by rail. In duo course Nessie appeared timing hoT appearance to tho arrival of the Timaru train. Luggage was coming up with " father." She was made welcome and • stayed tho night, expecting her pi rents tho next day. She received a telegram to 6iv that the ear had broken down near Timaru. Another telegram announced a further breakdown at Ashburton, and Mrs. Parkenson received an apologetic telegram purporting to come from i" mother." How long the girl stayed is not clear, but one night she" disappeared, and her hosts were quite distressed until they found that she had intentionally left without giving notice.