GIRL DISAPPEARS

Southland Times, Issue 19358, 25 September 1924, Page 5

GIRL DISAPPEARS

AUCKLAND SENSATION EXTRAORDINARY ALLEGATIONS BISHOP CLEARY’S EMPHATIC DENIAL SCHOOL BOARD’S SECRET INVESTIGA TIONS (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, September 24. There appears to be a great deal of mystery associated with the di.<ap{>earance of an Epsom Grammar School girl, who inexplicably left her home at 25A, Carlton Gore Road, on September IS. She is Margaret Martin, aged 174 years, daughter of Mrs D. G. Martin, a widow. the matter of her disappearance has been the subject of an exhaustive investigation bj r the police throughout New Zealand, but so far no trace of her has been discovered, though inquiries have favoured tb belief on the part of the investigators that the girl has not left Auckland. STATEMENT BY A SOLICITOR. Certain people, however, know where she is and assert that all is well with her. These include a leading Auckland solicitor, who has been acting on her behalf. He informed the Herald to-night that he saw her this evening, had a long conversation with her and further “she is a free agent and she knows it. ’ In view of his statement, it is reasonable to infer that the girl is in Auckland. That is only part of the apparently strange story. The mother has been quite unable to obtain any information as to where and with whom her daughter has been housed during her absence from home. She had been informed by letter that the girl was in safe keeping, was well and also quite happy. A RUMOUR ABOUT RELIGION. It appears, however, that the reasons for the girls disappearance had been the cause of much rumour and somewhat remarkable conjecture. The most interesting allegation is associated with religion. It has been asserted, indeed, that strong influences have been brought to bear upon what have been described as "the religious tendencies of the girl’’ and that an attempt has been made to proselytise her. This allegation was not put forward merely as a circumstantial assertion. Those who have made it have been quite definite in their statements that the g.rl has been sheltered by adherents of a certain Church. An emphatic denial from the Auckland head of that Church has been given to the allegation. BiSHOP CLEARY’S DENIAL. The question was directly put yesterday to Bishop Cleary, who was infunned that a definite charge had been made to the effect that the missing girl had been given the shelter either of a Convent or of some Roman Catholic institution or of a Roman Catholic family and house. Bishop Cleary replied most emphatically: “You can say definitely with my authority that these allegations are utterly devoid of fact.” SCHOOL BOARD INVESTIGATION. The matter was brought before the Auckland Grammar School Board to-day but the subject of an investigation was taken in committee in conditions of the closest secrecy. Certain evidence was submitted by Mrs Martin and the inquiry was adjourned for further evidence. In reply to a question, Professor A. P. W. Thomas (Chairman of the Board) said that no statement could be made on behalf of the Board for the simple reason that only one side of the case had been presented to it. He would make the assurance, however, that the Board would give the matter a very thorough investigation. Such official reports as there are about the case, make it clear that the missing girl is an exceptionally bright scholar, having secured scholarships with distinction and also matriculated.