COURT NEWS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 260, 17 November 1939, Page 3

COURT NEWS

SERIOUS CHARGE NATIVE) PLEADS GUILTY CIOAJAUTTEII) F'Oll SUN TEN OJfl At the Opotiki Police Court recently, before. Messrs. F. J. Short and C. Pipe, J.P’s, AVairepn. Tnugira, a native residing at To Kahn, was charged with carnal knowledge of it. girl. over tho age of 12, hut under the ago of Lb. Mr, Hoi appeared for accused. Sergeant J. Isbister, who conducted the east* on behalf of the police stated that Jlte girl’s condition, was first discovered hy I)r. Davis of Gisborne, who was examining children at To Kalin. School, of whic h tho girl was a pupil. Dr. Clifford James gave evidence of the girl’s condition, stating that she was a. well-developed girl for her age and that her future health w.ould not ■ho affected. In evidence, the girl’s mother .stated that her daughter was aged 14 years and nine months, and had been living with witness ever since her birth. She was a pupil of To Kahn school where she was examined hy Dr. Davis. The girl stayed away from 'school after that. The girl told her father who was responsible and accused admitted the fact. Accused had been living at witness’ house for more than 2 years. The twin girls slept in one bedroom and at times accused used to sleep in the same room. Witness did not suspect any interference. When accused admitted the fact, lu* made an offer to marry the girl, and 'witness agreed to that. They were married hy. .Canon Da hewn at To Kaha on 7th. hist.. The girl told Canon Paliewa. that she was 10 years of age. Sergeant Isbister staled that in consequence of information received he and Constable Cooper proceeded to Tc: Kalia. where they interviewed the girl in the presence ol her mother. The girl admitted her condition and made, a statement. A statement, was also taken, from the mother. Witness later interviewed accused who made astatement- which was produced in Court. Witness- addl'd that while in T’e Kalia, he interviewed tin* registrar for births, deaths and marriages and obtained from him a certified copy of tlu* girl’s birth certificate. QiicsLipmed hy Air. Hoi. witness agroed that the girl was well developed, and if witness had been told that she was l<) or 17 In* would agree that she was big enough, Imt her lace looked younger, that was, judging b.v the white standard. The Bench stated that a. prima. face case had been made out against accused, who pleach'd guilty and was commit tcf I to the Supreme Quirt, in Auckland for sentence.