DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 April 1921, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

BABY FOUND DEAD. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The dead body of a fully developed male child was found this morning under the bed of a domestic servant named Vera Manson (aged 20) at the house where she was employed. The girl admitted that the child was born on Thursday night, but she did not look to see if it was alive or dead. At the inquest, the medical evidence showed that death was due to asphyxia. The inquiry was adjourned to enable the mother to give evidence. CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER. Palmerston N., April 8. At the Police Court James Muir, taxi-driver, was committed for trial on a charge of manslaughter arising from the death of Maurice Hickey, which resulted through a collision with a car on February 8. ALLEGED THEFT FROM A TRUCK. Palmerston N., April 8. In the Police Court Henry Levy Rolland and Francis Cassidy were committed to trial for the theft of woollen goods, valued at £417 19s Cd, the property of Mackay, Logan and Caldwell, Ltd., from a truck at Awapuni on February 19. SLY GROG SELLING. Auckland, April 8. George Holt, hotel porter, was fined £sO_for sly-grog selling. Accused sold a bottle of whisky after hotel hours to a constable for 20s. COURT-MARTIAL SEQUEL. Wellington, April 8. Mr. F. W. Martin, barrister, sitting as a Royal Commission, has commenced an inquiry regarding the well-known Thompson-Hotop court-martial case, which arose out of certain statements made by Private H. H. Thompson in respect to Dr. Francis Rudolph Hotop at Featherston camp in September, 191’7. After a discussion regarding procedure, the inquiry was adjourned till the 28th. GIRL FIRE RAISERS. Auckland, April 8. Freda Hutchinson, aged 17, and Margaret Metcalf, 18, charged with arson in connection with the fires at the Door of Hope, were brought before Mr. Poynton, S.M., for sentence to-day. The Magistrate said he had decided not to follow his first-intention of permitting i the reduction of the charge to one of mischief, notwithstanding the youth of accused and the fact that they were partly irresponsible. The crime was so serious that it should be dealt with by a judge. The punishment would not be more severe, but to reduce so serious a charge might raise an undesirable precedent and raise public suspicion of a special favor. Hutchinson entered a plea of guilty, but Metcalf pleaded hot guilty. Both were committed to the Supreme Court.