NEW LANDS SENSATION

Shannon News, 24 April 1923, Page 4

NEW LANDS SENSATION

further evidence against COOPER. WELLINGTON, April 23. Farther evidence in tihe case in. which. Daniel Richard Cooper was charged with murder was taken in' the Magistrate's Court this morning. f.Jatilda Maud. Adams, of Christchurch, gave evidence that about the end of July, 1920, she saw an advertisement in a newspaper wanting a kind person to take charge of a baby, which she answered. Cooper called at her house in Manchester street a few days later. _ The Magistrate here noted Mr Jackson’s objection to tbe evidence. Witness said Cooper asked her if she would look alter the baby for a fortnight and said it was a male. She asked if the mother was a married woman. Cooper- said no, but she was to be married shortly. Cooper returned later' in the day with a young lady and the baby. She later recognised the lady as Miss Beadle. The child was perfectly healthy. Cooper left her his address in case it was necessay to communicate with him. About a week after she received the child she had a bereavement in (her family. She sent word to Cooper to come and see the baby ass it was not well. When she returned home she found a telegram from Cooper stating he was coming at once. Cooper arrived with the young lady, the same one who brought the baby. She had all the child s clothes ready and she handed the child over and said it had been very cross. Cooper paid her £2 15s. Cooper and Miss Beadle went away with the child with them. It was quite healthy. Constable Hayvice said he was digging about Cooper’s house at Newlands on March 27 and found the body of the child buried a few inches deep. There was no clothing on the body.

Dt. Wright described the position of the body, which appeared to have' been covered with ashes. A fork and spoon were beside it and appeared to have been burnt. The body was very decomposed. Witness judged- it had been buried about a year. He was unable to tell the cause of death or sex. Dr. C. M. Hector gave evidence on similar lines to Dr. Wright. The bones of the child set in plasticine and produced in court were those examined by witness. It Was impossible to say accurately .how long the child was in the ground. He could say, however, that it had not been there two years, but might have been only six months. is opinion was that it had been buried approximately twelve months, because of the pink colour of the brain.

Edward Walter Dihnie, officer in charge of the Criminal Investigation '■■•".nch, produced photographs taken ; t Newlands immediately after the body was discovered. The body was forty-foua* feet in front of the crib.

Detective McLennan gave evidence as to the discovery of the child. He wind a number of spoons and forks similar to those found with the body ■ wlerneath the crib. They also ap-

■ ..paired -to have been, through a fire. ■ v e was present with Senior Detective I ewis when a.ccused were asked for an explanation as to the presence of tne bodies. The female accused said: “J can only refer you to Mr Wilford.” The male a.ccused said he did not want to say anything till he had seen his solicitor. He said further: “Do you i unember me coming to the police station and reporting about my stolen tools . A man named Golder stole them from my place out there. I reported the matter to Constable O’Donnell and went with O’Donnell to Golder. Golder swore in front of O’Donnell that he would get even with me.” Senior Detective Lewis corroborated Detective McLennan’s evidence and gave particulars about finding the body and also interviews with both 'accused in gaol. Cooper said he did not know Golder’s Christian name, nor where he was to be found. He also said he did not wish to add anything further until he had seen his solicitor, when, if so advised, he intended to make a statement about the matter.

Constable William O’Donnell said Cooper called on him- in reference to Golder in November, 1922. He reported that this man Golder had gone into his shop and also that Golder hacl stolen his tools, consisting of a saw, hammer and mattress. When asked if Golder had sold them Cooper said: ‘‘No, they are still in the shop.’’ Witness told Cooper he did not think it a case of theft. Witness arranged to go around to Golder’s with- Cooper, but Golder was not home. They saw Mrs Golder. Cooper said he wanted them to get out of the shop. Mrs Golder said her husband had made arrangements with Cooper. Cooper said Golder must have taken the key from under the shop. Mrs Golder bec/amle (angry ap'd told Cooper to take the mattress away. Golder came along and witness and Cooper went to meet him, Mrs Golder came down and told her husband what Cooper had said. Golder said it was a lie and said he had obtained the key from Cooper at Cooper’s office in

Wellington. Golder would have as-

saulled Cooper if witness had not happened to be there. He understood from the conversation that Golder bought a section from Cooper and Cooper was to allow Golder to stop in the shop until he built a place for himself. Cooper agreed to give Golder his deposit back if he left the shop. As he had no money he gave him an 1.0. U. and they parted apparently good friends. Witness never at any time heard Golder say he would get even with Cooper. Witness had made unsuccessful efforts to find Golder since. About nine months ago the Cooper’s house and store were burnt. The house was later rebuilt. This concluded the evidence concerning the finding of the second, body.