SECRET WEDDING ECHO.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17365, 29 March 1928, Page 8

SECRET WEDDING ECHO.

■ — ♦-— —— FALSE AGE IN LICENSE: ACTRESS BRIDE TO PAY FINE. PEGGY SHOTTER'S MISTAKE. Arrangements for marriage made hastily by a young actress had serious consequences at Clerkenwell. In order to facilitate the ceremony, which took place before parental consent was obtained, the bride, Miss Margaret (Peggy) Shotter, the actress, •wrongly stated her age. Miss Shotter recently became the wife of Cap-t Alastalr Miller, who is well known in motor racing circles. Caplain Miller was at one time in the Irish Guards, and during the war became a flight-lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps. Of late years he has distinguished himself as a racing motorist, and has frequently taken part, in competitions at Brooklands. Captain Miller has been twice married. His former wife obtained a divorce from him in 1926. The marriage to Miss Shotter took place on the day on which that lady was to have played the part of a pierrette at the performance of ' the revue

"Clowns in Clover." Miss Shatter was summoned in the name of .Margaret M. Miller for making a false statement at the St. Pancras Begister Office on November 29 for the purpose of procuring the license. When Mr Gwatkin, for the Public Prosecutor, began to explain the circumstances, Mr Walter Frampton, defending, intimated that the offence was admitted. Mr Gwatkin pointed out that when Miss Shotter applied for the marriage license she had to make a declaration stating whether she was a minor. She gave her age as 21, but as a result of inquiries. It Was Found She Was Only 18. Mr' Frampton told the maigistrate Miss Shotter regretted what she had done, but she had no knowledge that she was committing an offence. She was married to a man she had known for many years, and the ceremony \vas expedited for the simple reason that she had been rehearsing for some considerable time for a new play, which was to be staged on November 29. Her health broke down at the end of rehearsals, and Captain Miller suggested she should abandon her theatrical career and go to the south of France. She had not obtained her father's consent to the marriage. It was a properly regulated affair, and counsel thought it was difficult to take a serious view of what she did. Miss Shotter thought the • simplest way of marrying without giving notice to her parents was by describing herself as of full age. It was untrue that her father had forbidden the marriage. In asking that a light view of the matter should be taken by the magistrate, Mr Frampton remarked he did not see there was much difference between a young woman of 18 calling herself 21 and an elderly spinster of 45 representing herself to be 35. •Mr Dummett, magistrate: I suppose she is in an affluent position?— Mr Frampton: Yes. She is living with her husband. Mr Dummett remarked he was not quite satisfied that Miss Shotter did not appreciate what she was doing when she made that statement. It was difficult to rid one's mind of the idea that she had some motive in doing so, because it was pretty well known, even to young women of 18, that if they desired to marry before 21 they must get the consent of their parents. It was unusual for a woman to make out she is older than she is. The magistrate added it must be clearly understood that these solemn declarations for legal purposes must be regarded as matters of the utmost seriousness and import. In the circumstances he did not think it was necessarv to fine Miss Shotter- the full amount. She must pay £25 and Ave guineas costs.