KIDNAPPED EX-NUN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17932, 7 November 1921, Page 9

KIDNAPPED EX-NUN.

MISS PARTRIDGE'S CASE. DISCOVERY IN STREET. " PERFECTLY HAPPY 'AGAIN." Tlio kidnapping of ox-Sister Liguori and her subsequent discovery in the street has provided tho residents of Sydney with their latest sensation. It was previously staled by cablegram that tho ex-sister, who now goes under her real name of Miss Bridget, Partridge, and whoso departure from a convent at Wagga in 1920 was followed by interesting Court proceedings last July, was returning home on tho night of October 26 when she was kidnapped by 20 men and curried off in a motor-car. Tho parly was returning from a religious meeting and had just reached tho residence of tho Rov. W. Touchcll when tho attackers appeared. In tho scrimmage which followed Mr. Toucholl was somewhat roughly handled, whilo Mrs. Touchcll and another of the party were knocked down in attempting to reseuo Miss Partridge, who was borne to a' motor-car and hurried away. Further particulars which came to hand yesterday show that Miss Partridge was discovered in Macquarie Street at about 11 o'clock on tho following morning, and, at her own wish, she was accompanied later in the day to (ho homo 1 of Mr. Touchcll, where sho is rcporlod to bo *' perfectly happy onco more." The young lady's reappearance was far loss theatrical than her disappearance. In fact, in its circumstances, it bordered on the commonplace after all her adventurous experiences latterly. Tho story of this later, episode has yet to bo told by Miss Partridge—she is preserving silence, on the advice of her counsel—but it is known that she spent the night at Ashfield, says a Sydney paper. It was a sleepless night, however, according to Mrs. Touchcll, and tho young lady quickly availed herself of an opportunity to rest. Shortly beforo 11 o'clock in tho morning, Miss Partridge, in tho company, according to the police, of a man named O'Callaghan, was seen walking along Macquirie Street. She had been observed by i man, who lost no time in going to the pc'ico headquarters, where ho saw In specter Drew and communicated tho fact to him. Inspector Drew, as quickly, got into touch with Superintendent Bannan, who detailed Inspector Lean- and Detec-tive-Sergeant Pather to look into tho matter. Tho rest was easy. Miss Partridge was discovered in Macquarie Street, and when spoken to, according to tho polico, she asked to be taken to polico headquarters, whence sho was thereupon escorted by Inspector Leary. At the Station. There, another little dramatic scono unfolded itself. Miss Partridge and Mr. O'Callaghan were ushered into Superintendent Ban nan's room, where thore was a consulta tion. Others camo upon tho scene— among them, Miss Partridge's solicitor (Mr. W. H. Hill), the Rov. W. Touchell and Mrs. Touchell, Miss j Partridge's brother, Mr. R. E. Barton, of the Loyal Orange Institution, Mr. T. J. Hoskings. M.L.A., who in tho early hours of the morning had drawn attention in tho Legislative Assembly to the young woman's disappearance, Mr. J. J. Carroll, solicitor, acting for Mr. Partridge, Mr. Peter Gallagher, of tho Attonoy-General's Department, and others. Around a tablo in one of tho rooms at polico headquarters all those interested silent assemblago, with a number of police officials also present. Miss Partridge, on being brought into the midst of the little sea of ooople, was informed by Superintendent Bannan that she was a "free agent, and could go whero she liked, the police undertaking to afford her protection. Miss Partridge's Choice. According to a note mado available later in the day, and which was confirmed by the police, Miss Partridge left no one in in the room in doubt as to her choice. "<Vfter the wav the Roman Catholics treated me last night," she replied, "I do not want to havo anything more to do with them. They ought to ask God to for. give them for what they have done to me. I don't want to go to Ireland or with my brother. I want to go with Mr. Hill and Mr. and Mrs. Touchell, and friends who havo been so good to me " This impassioned plea, amidst tho tense silence of tho littlo audience, must have removed any doubts that might have been felt a s to Miss Partridge's choice. Later, looking (lushed and ill, Miss P irtridgo in the company of ilrs. Touchell and two policemen, left the police headquarters for the home of Mr. and Mrs. Touchell. Further than this, and tho protection which thev will afford Miss Partridge, the police are taking no action in the matter. It is for her, the police state, to tako any action which sho may deem necessary, According to Mrs. Touchell, Mis s Partridge did not know tho name of the people to whom she was taken when sho was suddenly driven off after having atlonded the Home Mission festival of tho Congregational Union in the Sydney Town Hall. "Sho spent tho night," said Mrs. Touchell, "somewhere in Ashiield or lfaberfield." Sho passed the night, as a matter of fact, at Ashfield. What has strongly impressed those in teuch with" Miss Partridge during tho last j few adventurous months, has been her self-control, which they regard a s simply wonderful for a young woman who has been through so many ncrvo-wracking experiences. Premier's Statement. In the Legislative Assembly in Sydney, Sir Thomas Henley asked tho AttorneyGeneral whether ho would "bring to justice those ruffians and criminals who dad assaulted tho Touchell family, and kidnapped Sister Liguori." The Spcalcer: 1 am not rjuito sure whether that matter is sub judice. Tho Attorney-General: It is a matter for the police to take action. Ido not know that it is sub judice. Sir Thomas Henley (lo the Premier): Will you assure the Flousc and the country that prompt action will be taken to bring to justice the men who committed that outrage'.' , The Premier: Tho question has been under my notice, and 1 must say I consider it a'very serious matter for anyone to bo kidnapped in (he streets of the city. Any action necessary will be taken when . i get the police report, and if I have any information lojjive the House later in tho j pitting 1 will it.