CHILD MURDER CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1927, Page 1

CHILD MURDER CHARGE

L EN I) ICH CO AIAII TIED. [nv TELEGRAPH —l'EIl PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AYHANGAREI, Sept. 29. The hearing of the charges of infanticide and concealment of birth against Paul Lendieh. a Dalmatian, was continued at lvaitaia Court today, when Detective T. De Neville prosecuted, and Air .1. Reynolds appeared for accused. Mrs Alibi Bovovich, said she saw Rosie To Whin, her sister, on the Sunday before the child was horn, and the girl quite obviously was near her time. Later, when the accused told her that no hahv was horn, she accused him of killing it, and he replied: “It you mentioned baby again, l will kill von! ”

Bella Te AA’liiu, mother of Rosie. Stated that she examined her daughter on August 22nd. anil was sure that she had given birth to a child. She had had 14 children herself, and was well acquainted with the conditions to bo expected in such a case. After a dm tor had been to see Rosie, the accused came and asked why Rosie had broken her promise not to see a doetor. He was very angry and excited. He told witness she must make Airs llorovK h stop talking about a hahv, or he would tear her in two. Later, tliere was a tribal meeting of Alaoris, and accused came and tried to get Rosie from them. Later he did get her away, and witness went to his whare to fetch her. Accused told her to get out. and she said she had a right to get her daughter, as he was not legally married to her. “ Tie then knocked me down, dragging me about and kicking me” said witness. The people of the tribe then sent for the police.

Cross-examined by Air Reynolds, wit ness said : “ Rosie is not simpleminded. .She is my last child. Paul said some time ago that lie would marry Rosie.” Witness had opposed the marriage until she knew of her daughter’s condition. She was sorry Paul had got into this trouble. She did not ask the tribe to send for the police. Mr Reynolds: “Did he come specially (to piet you to see Rosie on August 23rd ? Witness: “Yes. Ho came only for that.” Mr Reynolds: • Did he «a.v he w.i going to get Alibi also-'” Witness; “ Yes. lie did. Rosie di " not admit to me that there was a baby till after she had told the police. Rosie always had insisted that there was no liah.v.”

Airs Revich said that she had seen Rosie and Airs Te AVhiu on the day under review, and later had said tlnn Rosie had had a “ Taniwha,” or Maori girl. She thought Rosie was a hit simple, and knew nothing about babies.

Dr Rix gave evidence of having examined the girl on September Ist, and also of interviewing accused, who did not seem to know anything about a child. After a second examination, witness was of opinion that a child hail been horn, probably a full-time child, lie thought the girl was notT quite normal mentally. She denied having seen anything of a child. Constable O'Gorman stated that he arrested the accused and brought him into the presence of the girl, who made a statement. Accused said she was telling lies, and that he had never seen a child at all. Upon being told he would he charged with murder, accused said: “All right. You charge me with murder of the kid. I have never seen it.”

Accused was committed for trial on October 25th. His defence was reserved.

Items of Interest—Daylight Saving Bill passed and Latest Parisian Ties just opened at Addison’s. See windows.—Advt.