THE KIRIKIRI TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1745, 7 August 1917, Page 3

THE KIRIKIRI TRAGEDY.

BOYS CHARGED WITH MURDER. BOTH COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. The charge against the two boys, Ernest Claud Gibbons and Dick Reihana, of murdering Irene Ellen Quinn at Kirikiri on July 19th was hoard by Mr E. Page, S.AL, in the Thames Police Court on Friday, inspector Phair conducted the prosecution, while Mr Clcndon appeared for Gibbons, and Mr Hogben for Kcihana. Gibbons is seven years and Reihana eight years of age, while Irene Quinn was six years of age. It is alleged that the child was undressed and thrown into the Kirikiri Creek by the two her naked body having been found in (he stream next day. Evidence was given by the deceased child’s father, Charles Quinn, and by a sister, that the girl could not undress herself without help. BOYS’ SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY. The three children attended (he Koim school, and, in, reply, to Mr Clemion, (he headmaster, James llenniek, expressed the opinion that (lie boys were not old enough to realise that a child in the creole out of its depth might drown. He based this opinion in respect of Gibbons on the boy’s age ami the fact that he had not had instruction in swimming or life-saving, and, In respect of Reihana, on the fact that all Maori children could swim and dive, and that they w.ere often thrown into (lie water to got out. ns best they could. In reply to Inspector ■’bail', witness said he considered they would have snflicicnt knowledge. to realise that it would lie wrong (o nmlrc.-'S a little girl, and Uiey would also know it was wrong to throw her into the water. Two native children, a hoy id’ eight year- and a girl of lb years, gave evidence that they saw (he three children near the creek, and later saw (he boys going along the road alone. BOY’S; VERSION TO.MOTHER. Evidence -was then given that when Gibbon.-- returned home lie told his -islcr that Irene Quinn was “floating down the Kirikiri Creek,’’ hnl no notice was token of this. His mother related that afterwards, v.liui she learned that the girl was really missing, she questioned her boy Claud again, lie said il was (rue ihni Dick had pushed Irene Quinn into Mm water. Mini lie had first lold her lie was going to do so and had then taken off her clothes and put her into the water, and afterwards pushed her furl her and further in, and said, “swim." Witness staled that she asked the boy why -ho did not call out to some person, hut lie replied (hat he did not think of doing so. Both parents (>f the hoy declared that in their opinion the hoy had no idea of (he serious nature of the charge against him, ns. he wns 100 young C> understand ii. Dr. Derrick stated that lie had made an examination of the girl’s bodv, and was satisfied that the child was alive,when she went, into (he water, and that death wns due to drowning. George Newland, senr., said he found (he naked body Hunting in the creek on the morning of July 20(h. A son of this witness said that on the afternoon of July 22ml he asked Dick Reihana who pul Irene Quinn into (he water. Reihana replied that Gihl,mne did so, and on (icing further asked who undressed her. replied, after some hesitalion, “Gibbons." STATEMENTS TO POLICE. Sergeant' Fraser produced a statement made by the boy Gibbons, which witness had taken down in the presence of, and with the consent of, the hoy’s father. In the course of the statement the hoy said that ReiImna asked Irene Quinn to come into the paddock ami play, ami that when Mm three children were on the bank of I lie creek, Dick' Reihana undressed Irene and put her into the creek. When she was being undressed she cried, and said she wanted to go home. After she was pul into the water she floated down the creek, struggling to get out. The two hoys then left and went home, Reihana telling Claud Gibbons not to tell anyone. A voluntary statement from Dick Reihana was also produced. In it Reihana . said that when he and Clam! Gibbons we-re near the Kivikiri Bridge, (hey saw Irene Quinn in a paddock on the hank of the creek. She was then naked, and she afterwards fell in and Honied down the. creek. Neither of the hoys_spoke to her, and all or she fell in (hoy left and went home, and did not tell anyone. ‘ , Mr Clemion ami Mr Hogben both contended that no evidence had been produced by the police to justify the Court in committing the two hoys. The Magistrate ruled that the evidence was sufficient to justify him in sending the ease for the decision of a jury, and accused were committed for trial at the Supreme Court. Bail was allowed in two sureties of £IOO each in each ease.