A GRAVE SCANDAL

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1928, Page 4

A GRAVE SCANDAL

ELEVEN MEN CHARGED

By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright.

CHRISTCHURCH, June 26. Serious charges were brought against eleven men at the Alngistrate’s Court to-day concerning three girls who Had escaped from the Girls’ Home at Burwood.

In some eases the charge was om of unlawful carnal knowledge. In other eases the charge was oik of harbouring the escapees, under th< Child Welfare Act. In some cases both of these charges wore laid. There were forty-seven informations in all. Chief Detective Carrol said that the three girls who had escaped from the Ilurwood Home had met the accused men from about February 17 until two months later. The Magistrate ordered the suppression of the names of the three girls. The charges of harbouring the girls were all adjourned until August 22nd. The other charges were then proceeded With. The accused men, and the offences alleged against them were as follows: , Victor Robert Blackburn—Carnal knowledge (four counts), and harbouring (four counts). George Boloski—Carnal knowledge (one count), and harbouring (two counts). Ernest Crozier—Carnal knowledge (one count), harbouring (four counts). ' Janies Hannan—Carnal knowledge (three counts), harbouring three counts). Alfred Langley Gibbens— Harbouring (four counts). .Maurice Victor llossiter—Carnal knowledge (tfvo counts). ! Charles Timothy Bogal—Carnal knowledge (four counts), harbouring (two counts). Francis Arthur Partridge—Harbouring (two counts). i 1 George Quaid —Carnal knowledge (one count), harbouring (four counts). ‘ Frederick James Fox Sullivan— Carnal knowledge (one count). 1 To-day evidence was taken only ii: the cases of Blackburn, Boloski, Ernest Crozier and Hannan. The other cases were adjourned till to-morrow. Blackburn was committed for trial on' hail of £SO, and a surety of £SO. ’ The charge against Boloski was dismissed. The evidence of the girl concerned in this charge was that she could not remember the accused as being guilty of the offence alleged. Crozier was committed for trial. One of the informations against Hannan was dismissed. The others mve not yet been heard.