SENTENCE OF AM INHUMAN STEP-MOTHER.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 98, 18 April 1885, Page 3

SENTENCE OF AM INHUMAN STEP-MOTHER.

Dunedin, April 9. Alexander Fleminu was acquitted of the charge of child-beating. In sentencing Mrs Carrie Fleming, the step-mother of the children, who was found guilty of assaulting them, Hi 3 Honor said : — Prisoner, I am unable to agree with the suggestion of your counsel that in flogging these poor children you acted from an error of judgment only, On the. contrary, it seems to me, from the depositions, and from what I have heard today, that your conduct evinces you were actuated by a cruel mind, and it is fortunate that a charitable neighbour interfered and tried to stop your proceedings. There is no doubt that both the boy and little child received gross illtreatment at your hands —ill treatment which appears to me to be without justification. Standing in the position which you do to them, it was your special duty to treat them kindness. Prisoner, who was greatly affected, was then senI tenced to two years' imprisonment.

Poia te Wirihaua, a chief of considerable importance, formerly resident at Te Matata, Bay of Plenty, died a few days ago. He was a loyal native, and ever ready to use his influence in support of the Government of the day. He was wounded at Te Ta Piri whilst defending Colonel Wuitmore, CB., against Te Kootn