ALLEGED ILL-TREATMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 245, 13 October 1908, Page 3

ALLEGED ILL-TREATMENT.

' A GIRL'S PUNISHMENT. t (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) , DUNEDIN, Monday. . Charlotte Elizabeth Smith and George 1 Edward Smith were charged with having , wilfully ill-trea;ted a young girl under the t age of 16 in such a manner as to cause her unnecessary suffering. | The girl, who is a sister of Mrs. Smith, alleged that on one occasion i,he male j accused held her down, and Mrs. Smith gave her 18 strokes with a strap on he: bare flesh. This p-aoishment was for having said she had been to the theatre when rsho had not. She also alleged that she was laid face down wards ..on a bed, with her arms and legs fastened, preparatory to punishment. She asserted that one > morning she received 120 strokes. '. Dr. L. Herbert said he examined the girl -on March 25. He found marks that might have been caused by strokes from t som-etihi.ng, but except for the girl's own 1 statement there appeared to be no dei terioration of her health. > The girl's father stated that when she , left home she was healthy and strong, I but when she came back she was almost a physical wreck. After her return he • examined her, and the lower part of her - body was so discoloured .that he would r not have thought she was born of white [ people. The marks resembled such as flog- [ ging would have caused. The girl h.id , not been very obedient at home. ( The girl's mother also gave evidence. ' , She said she had punished her daughter , for telling untruths, but very seldom. The \ girl was never allowed a great deal of liberty, and was well 'behaved and a good [ girl. r Detective Ward stated that the male I accused said the girl's story was practi- ■ calfy true, except that it was grossly cxi aggerated. Accused also said that the girl was am awful liar. Both accused reserved their defence, \ and were committed for trial. Bail was . fixed for the male accused, self in £ 150. and two sureties of £75 each; and in the " case of the female accused, self in £50, | and two sureties of £25 each, or one oi 1 £50.