SERIOUS OFFENCE.

A young man, Frederick Challis, was charged, on remand from the Thames, with carnally knowing a girl named Alice Eva Raines, under the age of 16, at Owharoa on New Year's Day.

Sergeant Brennan appeared for the police, and Mr Porritt for the accused.

Alice Eva Raines, who was dressed in a pink frock and sun bonnet, looked like a child of 12 or 13. She deposed that she. was 15 on December 29th last. She had been employed at Mrs Rowland's at Owharoa. On January Ist she started to go home to Karangaimke, and was followed by accused, who overtook her. He walked along some distance with her, when the alleged offence was committed. She was a consenting party. Cross-examined by Mr Porritt: She did-not always dress like she was at present. She had beeu "dolled up " for the occasion 1". Mrs Raines (mother of the girl), Mrs Rowlands, a lad named Barclay, and Constable Potter, who arrested the accused at Tararu, also gave evidence. - This closed the case for the prosecution. The accused, on being .cautioned in the usual" manner, reserved his defence. He was then committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court. Bail was allowed accused —himself in £150 and two sureties of £75 each. Bail was forthcoming.

Friday, January 20th, 1899

[Before Capt. Forster and H. 0. Wick, Esq., J's.P.]