THE LATCH-KEY GIRL.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16780, 23 April 1926, Page 9

THE LATCH-KEY GIRL.

£750 LIBEL DAMAGES. The hearing was resumed in the London Courts of the action by Captain Charles William Richard Langmaid, M.C., the guardian of the 16-years-old girl Grace Dinah Blackaller, who was murdered in a London street last April,, against the newspaper John Bull, for an alleged libel contained in an article entitled “The Latch-key Girl." Captain Langmaid alleged that the general tone of the article reflected on his care of the girl. The article stated:

“To-day we give a latch-key to a girl of IG and ask no questions when she comes back at 2 in the morning from the cabaret or a night club. Wo pilcli these children into the furnace of temptation and leave them to take pot-luck with destiny.” Messrs Oldhams pleaded fair comment and denied that the article referred lo Captain Langmaid.

Mrs Emily Hcarnc, in whose house Captain Langmaid and the girl lived, said every care was taken of the girl.

Mrs Maud de Vries, a friend of Captain Langmaid, said she thought the article was a slur on Captain Langmaid and on mothers and guardians of to-day.

Mr Norman Birkett, K.C. (for Mesrs Oldhams, proprietors of John Bull): Modern girls have now more freedom and some of them abuse it? —I am afraid they do. There is a tendency to jeer at the old-fashioned mother now? —It maybe.

And to sneer at the red flannel petticoat and all that kind of thing?— Well, I suppose so.

Quartcrmaster-Scrgt. Harold Giles said he agreed with his wife that the article referred lo Captain Langmaid.

Mr Birkett: Of course, anything- said by your wife would be accepted by you without question?—Not necessarily. Mr Birkett: I am told it was so 50 years ago. Mr ,1 ustice Salter: I don't think it t\as. (Laughter.)

Mr Birkett submitted that the article was in the nature of a sermon and contrasted the life of the modern girl with that of the girl of 50 years ago.

The jury returned a verdict for Captain Langmaid for £750 damages, end judgment, with costs, was accordingly entered.