WOMAN APPLIES FOR PRISON RELEASE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29436, 11 February 1961, Page 14

WOMAN APPLIES FOR PRISON RELEASE

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, Feb. 10. Mr J. W. Kealy, S.M., today adjourned sine die an application by Blanche Victoria Holloway, aged 42, a nurse, for her release from prison. Holloway was committed to one month’s imprisonment last Monday for failing to obey an injunction of the Court. The injunction, made last November, was that she was not to keep more than three dogs on her property at Devonport. She was given until January 17 to comply, and the matter was then further adjourned. Through her counsel, Mr R. M. Sweeney, she gave assurances today that if she was released from prison no dogs would be returned to her property, and that by Monday week the house would be cleaned to the satisfaction of the health authorities. The Magistrate said Holloway had not shown the slightest expression of regret for her contempt of Court in failing to obey the injunction, nor had she shown the slightest expression of regret for inconveniences she had caused her neighbours. He said that in view of all he had heard, he 1 felt the application to be premature.

It might be unfortunate from the point of view of the upholding of the Court’s orders if Holloway was released as early as this, the

Magistrate said. He wanted some more definite, concrete and worthwhile suggestions as to where the dogs would be taken on her release. He adjourged the application sine die, to be brought on at 48 hours’ notice.

Mr F. C. Bird, senior inspector for the S.P.C.A., said that after Holloway had been taken to prison he found 35 adult dogs and 15 puppies on the property. There was still one dog there. Most of the dogs were fox terriers, he said. They should be able to jump a four foot fence, but only one dog was able to do this. They were emaciated, and lacking in proper food. Their condition was shocking, he said.

Mr Bird said the dogs would need considerable treatment before they would be normal and healthy again. To the Magistrate, he said Miss Holloway was known to get dogs from pounds—at the time she acquired them they would be neglected and requiring treatment. • Holloway said in evidence on her own behalf that she intended to acquire a property at Albany at which she could keep the dogs. Her property at Devonport / would be "hastily” renovated and she anticipated letting it.