Caned Adopted Children; Convicted For Assault

Press, Volume C, Issue 29467, 20 March 1961, Page 17

Caned Adopted Children; Convicted For Assault

i New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND. March 17. David Pompallier. aged 64. a foreman-driver who severely caned his adopted chi.dren. was convicted on two charges of assault in the Magistrate's court at Auckland today. Mr E. F. Rothwell, S.M., t'ned Pompallier £2O on each charge and ordered him to pay costs totalling £9. Pompallier pleaded not guilty. A 14-year-old boy said in evidence that he had been -trapped with a supple jack and a “4 by 2” by the accused. The boy admitted he had taken money from milk bott’es and had kept a small ; frount of money he had recei’.ed by selling raffle ticf'ets He said his legs, buttocks and stdmach had been marked after he had received a hiding for taking the raffle money His adopted 12-year-old brother said he had been helping him to do some haughty things.” The elder

boy and another brother had run away from home the day the 12-year-old received a ’’’hiding'’ for stealing the milk money. The boys had been warned if they did not stop taking money they would get a hiding. A 10-year-old younger brother agreed the 14 year old boy hated the accused. The accused said he had adopted the boys about four years ago. They had been “beautiful boys” up until near the end of the third year. When he had punished them they squirmed about and fought him and he could have “hit them anywhere.” The Magistrate said that if used properly and moderately a supple jack about 2ft 6in long was a proper weapon to use. He agreed wholeheartedly with the right of a parent to administer corporal punishment—it was “ —purely a matter of degree,” the Magistrate said.