A SERIOUS CHARGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3743, 19 January 1928, Page 3

A SERIOUS CHARGE.

CASE DISMISSED. Masterton, January 17. John Fitzgerald, a Maori, aged 21, was charged in the Magistrate’s Court this morning with carnally knowing a girl under the age of 16 years at Mangawhata on June 9. Messrs E. Smith and W. H. Jackson, J.P.’s, occupied the Beach. Sergeant Dyer, who conducted the case for the police, said that accused was a farm labourer, and had resided with his father-in-law at MangaAvhata, in the Manawatu. As a result of some difference, accused and his wife left on August 11, 1927, for Foxton. After a week in that to.wn accused came to Masterton, where he resided at a pa at Te Ore Ore. On December 10, accused’s father-in-law brought the girl in this case, who was his .daughter, to the police station. On that occasion the girl made a statement in which she alleged that accused had committed the act which was the basis of the charge at Mangawhata on Juue 9. In a statement made later accused had admitted the offence.

Mr. J. M. Laing, who appeared for accused, asked that the charge be dismissed on the ground that a prima facie case had not been established.

The Bench said that there were certain contradictions in the evidence, and it was their opinion that a jury would not convict. The case would be dismissed.