CHILD CUSTODY DISPUTE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19029, 1 June 1936, Page 2

CHILD CUSTODY DISPUTE

MOTION PICTURE ACTRESS WARRANT l r "0R ARREST (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Tress Assn.) QUEBEC, May 30. A foiir-yonr legjal battle between Harry Bannister and his divorced wife, Ann Harding, for the custody of their seven-year-old daughter Jane took a spectacular turn to-day. when Mr. bannister rushed by aeroplane from New York in an attempt to prevent the actress sailing with the child on the Empress of Australia to-morrow for England. The California courts had allowed each parent six in,ml lis' custody, but Mr. liannisler claims I hat his former wife might establish her resilience in England. where she was going to make a picture, and there would be no legal means to force her to return the child. Miss Harding) claimed that she had no intention of remaining permanently in England. She said she would return with the child within the six months' period. She checkmated any legal moves Mr. liannisler might make, here by secretly sailing to-day by the Duchess of Atholl. For a time, Mr. bannister refused to believe that Miss Harding had actually sailed by the Duchess of Atholl, and insisted in personally searching the Empress of Australia from si em to stern.

When finally convinced Iliat his daughter had gone he swore to a formal charge of kidnapping against his former wife and a warrant for her arrest was issued, which will be forwarded lo England aboard the Empress of Australia. It is expected that, courl hearing will be held at Southampton. It may or may nol result, in (lie cancellation of Miss Harding's motion picture contract in England and enforce her return to America.