BURNING A CHILD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 277, 17 November 1908, Page 4

BURNING A CHILD.

AIAOIU PARENTS SENTENCED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Monday. Hirini Ngatimo Hohepa .and Ema, his wife, who liad been found guilty of tire manslaughter of their child, were sentenced this morning. Mr. (Jarratb, their counsel, pleaded for mercy ou toe ground that the husband was suffering strongly at the time from the inlluenee of religious mania and that the wife acted under fear of the husband and his father, together with superstitious dread. Tlio jury by its verdict and recommendation had, he said, brought ill what almost amounted to ;iji acquittal. His Honor said the jury had ao*o 110 such thing. No fear of isijury to herself could justify a mother ill burning her child to death. Addressing the male prisoner, the Judge said he liad committed a shocking crime under cue influence of a barbarous and ignorant superstition. If the Maoris dreaded makutu they must bo taught to dread still more the power of the law. He imposed a sentence of tell years' imprisonment. The prisoner hissed out: "Go to Hell!"

He was quickly hustled below. The female prisoner was sentenced to live years' imprisonment, the Judge saying it was plain that she dreaded the violence of her husband and his father.