BLACK MINSTRELS AND WHITE GIRLS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10406, 20 July 1912, Page 6

BLACK MINSTRELS AND WHITE GIRLS.

Per Press Association. Christchurch, July 19. The local polios are concerning themselves with the fate of three girls who attached themselves to threefmembers of Kersand’s Minstrel Company. They were kept in a boardinghouse by these men, but were left stranded when the company left for Ashbnrton. Acting on a telegram from the father of two of the girls, the police iuve ligated the matter,|and git was found that the girls had been left destitute and actually owing a small sum for their board. The facts alleged are that two of the girls, aged ”15 and 18, are sisters whose mother keeps a boardinghouse gin Auckland, gaud whose father is believed to be a wharf labourer. The father has Samoan blood in him, and the mother is [believed to be a West Indian. The sisters are therefore very dark in complexion, and might very well pass as members of the company. The third girl is u white girl She was staying with the sisters in 'Auckland. It is understood that the three giris became acquainted with the minstrels at the mother’s boardinghouse, and infatuation resulted. They left their home some time after the minstrels left Auckland, and joined them in Christchurch. They lived in the same boardinghouse for a week. The sisters say [that they left home in consequence of a disagreement with their parents, and the other girl accompanied them. Their idea was to join the troupe if possible. They deny that their was any impropriety as far as their relations with the minstrels were|“conoeroed. Their friends left them promising to send money to take them south later on. Ji has come to the knowledge of the police that some other white girls followed other minstrels in the same company from the north and stayed at the same boardinghouse. It is believed that they have returned ito Wellington. A telegram was received from Auckland police this afternoon, asking that the three girls be sent north. The lacal police are making arrangements to comply with the request. Auckland, July 19.

“Stranded In Christchurch” was the text of a telegram which came over the wires to Auckland last night in response to general inquiries distributed throughout the Dominion’ bygthe local police in connection with the surreptitious departure of three girls from their hemes In Auckland, one night last week. A further wire stated that the girls in question were reported to have fallowed a negro mjustrel troupe to that city. A representative of the Star made some inquiries this morning of the mother of two of the girls. She is a half-casts Maori. Her distress over the occurrence was very apparent, and she stated that she was at a complete loss to account for the action of her daughters. One cf them has just turned 17 and the other is only 14. The third the absconding trio is a white girl about 18. Tbe mother of the two first named positively disclaimed any knowledge of an acquaintance having sprang np netween her girls and any members of a minstrel troupe. As a matter of fact, she said, those people left Auckland fnlly three weeks before her daughters went away. She felt that some undue power of persuasionmust have been brought to bear cu them, as their home life had been apparently comfortable and happy. Her first knowledge of their departure, the mother stated, was gained early the next morning, when one of the children came and told her ..that their eldest sister was not in her bed. Investigations showed that both girls had mysteriously disappeared. Tbe elder one had gone out the previous evening with the stated intention of going to the theatre, while the younger girl was thought to be in bed. From information now to hand it is ap parent that the trio left by tbe Mam Trunk train that night for Wellington. It appears that tbe elder of tbe two sisters is musical, and she was allowed considerable freedom for taking part in evening outings. She and the Eingsland girl were constant oomnanions, hut tbe younger sister rarely went out with them at night, “I really don’t know why they took my baby away with them,” sobbed the mother, in referring to the smaller girl. Tbe father of one girl and tbe mother of tbe other two attended at tbe police station this morning. In response to tbe inquiries of [the police, the latter produced 'the amonnt of tbe fares necessary for the retnrn of her daughters fr m Ohristcbnrob, but the former appeared to hesitate over the matter. Of oonrse, the police can make no charge against tbe girls for anything that has happened. They have merely bsen prosecuting Inquiries at the request of the parents concerning tbe whereabouts of the girls. Now they have been fonnd It remains tor their relatives to decide wb >t action shall taken in tbe direction of securing £t "ir retnrn. Tlmarn, July 39. Kereand’s Minstrels are now here. A Herald reporter interviewed the manager regarding the statements contained In a telegram from Obristobntoh. Mr Weatmaoott said this was tbe first he bad beam about girls coming from Auckland. On arrival at Lyttelton, three girls who came down with the Minstrels were sent back. As for the Auckland girls, the men bad to take care not to let tbe management know. Sub-manager Snyder said: “We have tbe greatest tronble so keep girls away from members of the company, and If girls will persist in rnnnlng after ns what can we do?” Both averted that they did their best to prevent gills following the men from place to place, and had a standing threat of immediate dismissal if tbe men eooomaged it.