A JUVENILE ELOPEMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2134, 13 March 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

A JUVENILE ELOPEMENT.

An extraordinary case of elopement from Ashford (Kent) is reported, tho parties being mere juveniles. It appear* that a lad of 13 years only, named Frederick Holman, the son of a mini employed in the gasworks, has giveu a great deal of trouble both to his parents and to the School Board by his truant propensities. Two members of the board had an interview with him, and represented to him what his conduct would result in. The boy, whose conduct otherwise is very good, promised fairly, and the School Board officials thought tho trouble would not occur Aprain. One afternoon, however, the lad went off with a girl between 14 and 15 years of age, named Rose Law, and tho daughter of working parents This girl, like Holuaan, has been the cause of no end of prosecutions of her parents, owing to her playing truant and running away from homo. The pair made their appearance at Charing, and entering tho King's Head, one of the principal inns in the phce. they called for supper and ordered a room to be trot ready, representing themselves a*s man and wife. Tho landlord, Mr Marsh, noticing their juvenile appearance, questioned them, and they said they were on their way to Maidstone or Gravesend, where they intended to set up housekeeping together if the boy could get work. Mr Marsh communica*fld with the police, and inquiries were made, which resulted in their being taken back ignominiously to Ashfurd, escorted by two constables in a carriage from one of the hotels, arriving at their homes at half-past two o'clock on a Wednesday morning. AU the cash with which the lad was about to start in life was sixpence.