FATHER'S PECULIAR PLEA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16036, 30 September 1915, Page 5

FATHER'S PECULIAR PLEA.

GIRL WITH A MESSAGE. i SEQUEL IN POLICE COURT. | I i [BT TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] j Hamilton'. Wednesday. The sequel to the case heard yesterday, in which a girl, 15 years old, was committed to an industrial school, was enacted this morning. At the close of the Court proceedings, a tall, middle-aged man, ] whose long beard and hair falling loosely' around his shoulders indicated his adherence to flie tenets of the Israelites, appeared before Mr. E. Rawson, S.M., and stated that he was Malcolm Fleming, father of the girl in question. He de- . clared that perfect harmony ruled in the i family, and that when he was communi- i cated with by the police, he thought his daughter had been arrested for preaching ; on the street without a permit. The j family had discussed the question as to who should go out with a message of faith, and Sophie, who was intelligent and ! energetic, was the selected one. Before ; she went out on her mission, however, a: perfect stranger personally, but a "brother"' in faith, named Parr, came to live with the family. This man persuaded Sophie that the other members of the family had fallen from the visitation, and that it was her duty to leave them and fly with him. Then her arrest followed. Fleming asked the magistrate to order the girl's release, ' In reply to the magistrate as to the principles of his faith, Fleming said :We believe in everything in its proper place. There is soon to be a great gathering of Israelites. Paul tells us in the Romans who are Israelites. We preach anywhere and everywhere. We are afraid of none, and are as free as the atmosphere. We have a special message to deliver. His Worship : You think you are in- • spired? Fleming: Undoubtedly, Your Worship. Mr. Rawson : That is sufficient. The man who thinks he is inspired is not a fit person to look after any child. I believe your daughter would be much better cared for where she. is. Fleming urged that the sect was looking forward to a great gathering in the House of David, which his daughter would be unable to attend if she remained in the industrial school. The magistrate said she -would be much better where she was. Her religion would be looked after. Fleming : We don't want any religious training in the outside world. We are endeavouring to cast off the world, the flesh, and the devil. Sophie has a message to deliver. His Worship: Well, a girl of 15 is too young to deliver religious messages at street corners. Fleming: It is a matter of opinion The Magistrate : That is my opinion, You can, if you wish, make further application to the industrial home authorities. Senior-Sergeant Cassells said the girl had asked that she be not sent back home, Fleming replying that that was because Parr had persuaded her. but the family were hostile to her going out with the messace. The magistrate assured Fleming that the police were looking after Parr.