A WOMAN'S STRAITS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10764, 11 May 1911, Page 6

A WOMAN'S STRAITS.

BOGUS ART'UNION. (Per Pkess Association.) ■Wellington, May 10. A story of the wrongs allegedly suffered by a woman at the hands of hothusband, who resides ■ia New South Wales, and her subsequent endeavors, after all legitimate means had failed, to provide for herself and child in a manner not permitted by the statute laws of the Dominion, was unfolded in the Magistrate's Court- before Mr W. G. Kiddell, S.M., to-day. Edith Alma Vallis pleaded '-Guilty'' to charges of imposing on certain persons by means of false representation with a view to obtain money.

Chii-i Detective Broberg stated thataccused, who was .separated from her husband, arrived at Wellington from Sydney on the Bth of February last in company witli an artist. A few days later she obtained permission to hold an art union of pictures which were painted by her companion. The pictures were placed on view at a local siiop. and accused canvassed the town with' the tickets under an assumed name. She proceeded to Carterton, and called upon Mr F. Feist, to whom she stated tiie art union was in aid of her brother, who was dying of cancer in the hospital. A somewhat similar storv was told to Mrs James Moncneff, with the addition that the benefit was organised by the Masouic Lodge at Petone. Mr Moncriefr bought five tickets at '2s each, and donated 10s to the : fund. Mr Wm. Booth was next visited, and he also bought tickets after listening to the story of the siek brother, who was now in the Wellington Hospital. Mr T. M. Wilford; who appeared for accused, said that there were always two sides to a story. Mrs Vallis was married to a man who became such a drag on her that'she.was forced to leave him, and she subsequently obtained a separation order from him with the custodv of their child. She came to New Zealand with the artist,-and tried hard to scll-the .tickets ifor the-;art union on their merits, but failed. She was taken sill, and had.no money to'pay for food for herself- and child. In the middle of her trouble two-men came across from Sydney arid stole the child from the house she was staying; in. She' immediately'.' gave: chase;' and, after:a struggle'in a..side.street, got the child back again. Seeingibefore her a future which she did hot-know-how to- cope , with,..she .picked!;imt .several wealthy persons, and told them the. story about her sick brother in order tolnduce them to purchase the tickets." - Mr-Wilford asked that she be treated leniently, as she had never been guilty of 'any wrong before. : - - .<•, -.••■ . )■:' •-- •-''',' , . Accused was convicted and ordered to come lip for' Sentence when calledmpon, a condition: being that the money obtained is refunded..-