A FOOLISH GIRL.

Otago Witness, 1 June 1910, Page 16

A FOOLISH GIRL.

FALSE PRETENCES

A young woman named May Sims, 21 years of age, appeared in the dock at the Police Court on May the 26th, and pleaded guilty to a charge of false pretences. It was alleged that, by fraudulently asserting that she was collecting money on behalf of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, sho had obtained the eum of 10s from Mary Clare Keligher at the Grown Hotel. The circumstances were explained by Chief Detective Herbert. Without authority at all thi6 girl had collected money from different people for the alleged purpose of building a new wing to the St. Vincent de Paul Society's Orphanage. It was believed that by this means she had obtained £2 or £3. The suspicions of certain people led to Detective Mitchell making inquiries, with the result that accused was arrested. Most of the duped people refused to come to the court, otherwise there would have been four or five charges againsb her. She, of course, had expressed great penitence. There was reason to believe that she was drifting to worse than the offence she had committed, and by way O'f effecting permanent reformation he suggested that it would be well to place her under control in the Magdala Home. She was ia. domestic servant. Some time ago she bad taken lodgings in town. Unless she was guided it was likely that she would drift to tbe oad. The Rev. Father Coffey said that while accused had been, on tbe whole, a good domestic servant, she had not, during the past four years, been giving satisfaction to those interested in her. She was the daughter of a very poor widow, to whom, had she been so inclined, she might have given welcome assistance. The girl said she was 21 years of age. On being asked whether she had anything to R3.v in regard to the offences alleged against her, she returned no satisfactory answer.

The Magistrate {Mr Widdowson) eaid he thought that a period of wise control would help the girl. A conviction would be recorded against her, but she would not be sentenced if aha. remained for six. months in the Maigdiala. Home. He hoped that she ih&d iiow learned a lesson, and that this experience would be the turning point in kiw career.