CHILDREN THRASHED

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1931, Page 2

CHILDREN THRASHED

GIRL COVERED IN BRUISES. HUNTLY, June 3. In the Magistrate’s Court on May 30, before Mr E. 11. Levien, S.M., Walter Steele, farmer, of Ohinewai, was charged with cruelly thrashing His two children, John Milton 'Steele, aged nine, and Evelyn Steele, aged eight. Mr Peacock, headmaster of the Oliiuewai School, laid the information, and his assistant Miss V. I!. Lvttle, stated in evidence that she had observed the girl’s condition at school, and as a result had questioned her and found thai she was covered with bruises. The gin admitted that site had been thrashoa by her father. Dr. D. C. Mncdiarmid stated that he had examined the children at the school. The boy had bruises on his arms, shoulders, neck and legs up to his knees. The girl bad bruises on her face, shoulders and arms, and heavy marks all over her body corresponding to the size of the belt with which she had been thrashed. Accused said lie thrashed the children because they were both persistent liars and loitered on the way home from school. He now realised that he had overdone it, ami thought lie must have lost his temper. Tre magistrate said he realised that a parent must correct his children when necessary, but he could not understand why licensed had inflicted such punishment, Accused himself should be punished, and Ho would be convicted and sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour.