A SERIOUS CHARGE.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 63, 14 March 1924, Page 6

A SERIOUS CHARGE.

ALLEGED USE OF INSTRUMENT. WOMAN SENT FOR TRIAL. Charged that on January 25, at Auckland, she did unlawfully use an instrument on a female, Mrs. Maud Herbert, nee Ashman, aged 38, was yesterday afternoon committed to the .Supreme Court for trial at the next quarterly session. Mr. R. A. Singer represented accused when she appeared before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., for the preliminary hearing. An order was made that the name of the girl in the case should not be published. Mr. Singer's objection to this was over-ruled. A female witness, aged IS, called by Chief-Detective Cummings, stated that she had been keeping company with a man, whom she named, for the past twelve months. At New Year she told the man that she wanted him to take her somewhere. On January 10 they went to No. 21, George Street, Ponsonliv, where witness saw Mrs. Herbert. Mrs." Herbert said she would not see witness till a fortnight had elapsed. Witness asked Mrs. Herbert how much it would cost, and she said it would bo £4. On January 24 witness called again, but Mrs. Herbert was not there. On the following (lay she saw Mrs. Herbert at the house 'in George Street. Witness then described what took place. Witness took a note to a chemist' and received two bottles. Witness became ill. On Sunday, February 3, a doctor ordered witness to the hospital, and she was admitted on the following day. Witness was in the Auckland Hospital from February 4 till March 13. Dr. Kennedy stated that the illness from which the girl was suffering when admitted to the hospital was one whicii sometimes followed a miscarriage. Acting-Detective Naldcr deposed to having gone to Mrs. Herbert's home at 10 a.m. on February 5 in company with ■Detective Robertson, Constable Moon and a police matron. Detective Robertsou arrested Mrs. Herbert. Witness described articles which he found in two rooms. Mrs. Herbert said she had no recollection of the girl mentioned. To Detective Robertson Mrs. Herbert said: "It was not as if I was getting any money out of it." The detective replied: "She said she paid you £4." Accused was committed for trial at the Supreme Court, bail being allowed as before. _____