GRAVE HEADSTONE DAMAGED

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1931, Page 7

GRAVE HEADSTONE DAMAGED

FATHER PROSECUTED. PREFERS PRISON TO FINE. CHRISTCHURCH, October 12. Because he objected to certain words on a headstone on the grave of his two children, placed there by his former wife, Martin Condon had the w'ords removed with a hammer and chisel. , Condon was charged before the magistrate, Mr E. D. Mosiey, S.M., today, on tile information of the Christchurch *ity Council, wifh wilfully causing damage to be done a tombstone in the Linwood cemetery on 'September A 7. !'• pleaded guilty.

It was stated by the town clerk, Mr •J. S. Neville, in evidence that the stone was placed on the grave by defendant’s former wife and her husband. Condon objected to the name of his former wife’s husband appearing on the stone, and deliberately had it defaced with a hammer and chisel. It would be impossible to put the letters back, and a new stone would cost £5 or £6. Witness said he bevieved defendant had been boasting about his act. Condon told the magistrate he did not know he was doing wrong. His other children had complained about the name several times, and if he had done wrong in having the letters chipped he was very sorry. Both children buried in the grave were his, "You were doing wrong, and you will have to restore it now,” said the magistrate, “You can’t he allowed to get away with that, You are liable to three months’ imprisonment. You have got to arrange to do the work or I will have to punish you.’’ Condon: I haven’t 'the money. I will take it out in gaol first. The Magistrate : I can punish you for the offence, and in addition the other party can bring a civil' action against you, so you see you are on the horns of a dilemma. Condon : I’ll take it out in gaol. The Magistrate : Come, now • you are being foolish. I don’t want to punish you. I Condon : You wouldn’t like it, your Worship. ' The Magistrate : Maybe, no ; but I would obey the law, I hope. j “I will line you £6, in default a month’s imprisonment with hard labour,” said the magistrate. “I will allow you 14 days to pay and if you j restore the stone with ♦i>'» same letter- ’ ing in that time you can apply for a | rehearing and I might dismiss it. You . go home and think it over. The Court j doesn't want to be bard on you.” | The magistrate added that once a stone had been laid no one could dese- | crate it, not even the person who put it there. Condon: I'm going to take the punishment. I will go to gaol for my children. The Magistrate: You are being very foolish.