THE COOPER CASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1923, Page 2

THE COOPER CASE.

[UY TKEEGHATH —rEIt PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

YKSTEItDAVS PBOCEEMKCK

WELLINGTON, Aluy 18.

Alter luneli, Lewis admitted that Airs Cooper might have reached her house after handing over the baby to Cooper in the time specified by Aliss Lister—Li minutes.

Formal evidence was given that a record "as made of the adoption of Afi.ss Lister’s child, the birth of which was registered on January 8, 1923. There was no record of its death, Evidence was then em'.'ed by Mr Alacassey regarding Aliss Beadle’s cliilchildren.

Beatrice Irene Beadle said she was intimate with Cooper on June 10, 1920, and gave birth to a boy at Lyttelton. j be baby was left with Mrs Adams, of Christchurcth. When the child "as about a month old she and Cooper went to Christeljureh, and took charge of the child and brought it to Wellington. A few days later Cooper said he had arranged with someone to adopt it. Witness went out on the afternoon the people were coming to take the baby away. When she returned, Cooper said the people bad taken the little one away, He told her not to worry or ask questions. Witness had not seen or heard of the child since. She had not signed anything relating to the adoption of the child. Later she made a formal demand for the possession of her child which was not produced. To Air Wilford: Arts Cooper was not at the house when lie child was taken away. So far as witness knew. Airs Cooper had nothing to do with its going. On November 27, 1921. witness gave birth to a female child, ot which Cooper was the father. Twelve days later it was taken to Newlands. Mrs Cooper was absent in Dunedin at this time, and bad nothing to do with the child.

Evidence was given by Lily Olsen, midwife. Lyttelton, as to the birth of Miss Readie’s child. Cooper brought Aliss Beadle to her place, and the couple passed as Air and Airs Reid. Matilda Adams deposed that Cooper and Aliss Beadle left the child with her for some (lays, and then took it a wav. It was perfectly healthy.

Formal police evidence was given ol interviews with the accused as to the whereabouts of the child, and of the demand for its production. It was not produced. There was no record ol its birth, death or adoption.