MYSTERY OF A GIRL

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1924, Page 4

MYSTERY OF A GIRL

STRANGE AUCKLAND CASE. RELIGION THE TROUBLE. GIRL CHANGES FAITH. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS. By Telegraph.— Pnn Aseodetfon. Auckland, Last NightAll efforts at securing a happy wttlement of the case of Mie* Margaret Martin, the Epsom Grammar Schon] prefect, have so far failed. The girl, who left her home eight days ago because of singular circumstances in no way reflecting upon her family oondl« tions, and her mother, Mr*. D. G. Martin, residing at 25a Carlton Gore Road, met again to-day without the formality of a conference, but they did not ceed in reaching a complete tion. Those most intimately with the negotiations now fear that th« prospect of such a termination is nof toe substantial, and some of them, in* deed, ere inclined to think it is rathet| remote. An authoritative statement put* the present position in this way: “No arrangement has yet been made under which the daughter could return to her mother under conditions which would bo tolerable to the mother.” From the community point of view the common question since public discussion -of the ease has been: “What is the core of the mystery?” Some authoritative light can now be turned upon it. The whole difficulty sprang from a matter of re-, ligious belief or tendency, and now< rests upon it. There has never been any suggestion of lack of affection between the principals, nor has the character of their household eVer been assailed. In plain terms, the girl has acquired an interest in a religious faith other than that practised by her folks. On the other hand, it is contended by those who have not been able to support her mood that this religious devek opment may not have been free of external influences. THE LEGAL POSITION.

The legal position as to her remain* ing out of the custody of her mother is defined thus by a barrister: “The Chief Justice had before him in 1914 a cast that held some points of similarity to this His Honour then decided that the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to make an order respecting the custody of infants during the period of infancy, that is, till they attain the age of 21. On that occasion, on the mother’s application, an order was made as to th© custody of a female infant of 17 year* of age. The Chief Justice said the Infants Act of New Zealand gives the widest possible power to the Supremo Court to deal with the custody of per-* sons up to the age of 21, and he knew of no law that compelled the court to do what a girl of 16 or 17 years of ago may choose to ask, although no doubt' many cases would arise in which the court would consider the wishes of children who were no longer of tender years. But the court first of all had to consider the welfare of the child, and. if the welfare of the child demanded the interference of the court the court had power to deal with the child's custody- That is the general principle the law.”

WELL CARED FOR. The legal position, however, fa noh being pressed. It is now stated with authority that the girl had been housed in the private home of an adherent of the Roman Catholic Church. It is stat* ed further that Miss Martin has been and* is being well eared for, fed, clothed and housed by persons othe> than hen mother. Naturally the main eubjent of discussion at Thursday’# unique conference was the question of the girl returning unconditionally to her mother* home, where, it is incidentally pointed out. she has always been well cored for in circumstances of harmony and affection. Onother question discussed was an allegation that the girl Inui been subjected to certain religious influences by a person who was named. .4® regard* this allegation it was frankly conceded by a representative of the church that, the Herald is informed, it was quite wrong for any person in a position of responsibility providing special opportunities for exercising an impressive influence on a school girl to ’uo any* thing to upset tnat girl’s religious beliefs without the knowledge and consent or her mother.” DISAPPOINTING CONFERENCE. On the principal question concerning the girl returning home to her mother the discussion between the parties ia described as having been very disappointing. One side hoped the girl would have been advised to return home at o: ce without any conditions being stipulated, but thia hop* was not realisedIt is stated she was advised to return home on condition that she should have complete religious uoorty, but t/.e mother could not accept that condition, m it was believed that such freedom would in practise be tantamount to maternal acceptance of a definite eliang* in the daughter's religious faith. It had been mentioned by the aldo on which the girl appears to bo nearest at the moment that if she went home on such condition* she could in a few months after settling down return to that side for instruction. One feature of the conference is emphasised, and this is the fact that while no influence was exercised in any shape or form tending to encourage the girl to refrain from going home, neither was there any generous counsel to go home without any conditions whatever. In the meantime the gid remain* with the sama family tligt housed her and kept her well as “a free agent” during the acutMt period of her mother’* anxiety.