THIS DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 49, 27 February 1901, Page 2

THIS DAY.

( ON CEA L M ENT OF Bl RTII. Julia Steenson. ;i. young woman, pleaded guilty to a charge of having, at Waihi, concealed the birth of her infant child. Lis Honor deferred sentence till Friday next. On a further charge of m-a.slaughter, the Crown LTosecutor (lion. J. A. Tole) said he would offer no c. Hence, and the jury accordingly retunred. a verdict of not guilty on this indictment. I A REVOLTING CASK. ! A man named Joseph Maynell plead- ; ed not guilty to -wo indictments! charging' him with indecent assault | upon his daughters, Ada and Harriet Maynell (both under the age of sixteen) at Brighn..*.''• Creek. Prisoner conducted his own defence. Evidence for the prosecution was given by the i two girls, a .Mrs (.'.'titty, and Constable j Crean. Prisoner- gave evidence on his -f.vu behalf..and called his wife, Dr. i Sharman, Mrs Donovan and Leonard Chitty as witnesses. Mrs Maynell deposed that the children told her about prisoner's conduct. When she repeat!ed their complaints to, prisoner he ex- ' claimed, "Oh, My God! Give mo the I razor. The sooner jam out of this j world the belter!" Witness, however, I had the razor "planted." Prisoner in i his evidence denied the charges, j Prisoner, addressing (he jury, said it was a plot on the part of his wife, prompted by jealousy. His witnesses, lie said, had "gone, buck" on him, and left him with no defence. His Honor irusumming up said it was no doubt a 'very grave and very painful ease. It was for the jury to say whether the evidence of the girls who made the charge against their father was true. Was it likely that two girls of their age would have conspired with their mother to swear falsely against their father, or that a mother of eight children would desire to see her husband imprisoned on ■ a false charge? That, said His Honor, was the issue and the jury would have to try. The jury, after a short retirement, brought in a verdict of guilty. His Honor deferred sentence till Friday morning.