A JAPANESE ROMANCE.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12767, 13 April 1910, Page 4

A JAPANESE ROMANCE.

Sub-Inspector Waters, of Port Darwin,- who is also & registrar of marriages, had a singular experience with one of the Taiytian's passengers. A coloured lady, resident in Palmer ston, called 6ii him about 7 p.m., .stating that there was a. young Japanese lady, on board, who was' on her way home after four years' residence in Queensland. • Since arriving in the Taiyuan ," this lady has discovered an old sweetheart in a- young Japanese diver employed on one of Captain Edward's pearling luggers. The ashes of an old passion had been rekindled, and she earnestly desired to marry him if it could possibly be arranged. After some objections regarding the latonesß of the hour, the kindly sub-inspector agreed to make the twain one if they would make their appearance before him. ■ ■ . "

The intermediary hurried off, and in a short time returned with the amorous couple. The lady is described aa about 25 years of age, and more than ordinarily beautiful. The ceremony was duly performed, and the romantic couple had just leftrthe office, when the acting-sub-collector of customs came hurrying along in search of the lady, having just received an official intimation that she was » prohibited immigrant, who had been landed at Thursday Island some weeks previously from a steamer in which she had stowed away for detention until an opportunity occurred of deporting her. It is presumed that the motive for the hasty marriage was some hazy notion that by this means the alien restriction clause would be rendered innocuous. If the bridegroom had been a naturalised British subject the point might have been somewhat difficult of adjustment, but h« is only a permit man, subject to deportation at the end of his term. ' The blushing bride, continued the voyage in the Taiyuan the next .morning, and the bridegroom has sailed for the pearling grounds.