ALLEGED CHILD MURDER.

Patea Mail, 9 April 1881, Page 4

ALLEGED CHILD MURDER.

The Manawatu Standard gives the following as the facts connected with charge of child murder brought against Joseph Hall and his daughter : “It is alleged that Hall and his daughter have been maintaining incestuous intercourse for a long time past, the result being the birth of a child, of which, it is stated, Hall delivered his daughter, no other person being present. Hall afterwards made application to registrar the birth of of a still-born child, and was told that registration of a still-born child was not necessary. Botli the accused shortly afterwards left a house in Taonni Street in which they had been residing. Certain suspicious circumstances subsequently came to light, and the police commenced to make inquiries. Detective Sullivan was on the alert, and with Constable Gillispie, prosecuted their inquiries cautiously but persistently. One fact after another that came to light strengthened their suspicions that the infant had mot with his death by foul play. Hall was arrested and lodged in the lock-up, and Detective Sullivan was dispatched to the accused woman, who had been recently residing at or near Max-ton. A criminal charge was fox-mally preferred on Tuesday. Hall is the same man who was recently charged with attempted rape at Marton, but the case fell through. He lias been engaged in the firewood business, and thex-e has always been a strong suspicion in the mixxd of the public that the relationship existing between him and hisdaughter, wasof an immoral character.”