AN UNPLEASANT CASE.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 45, 21 August 1903, Page 6

AN UNPLEASANT CASE.

A DAUGHTER'S UNHAPPY LOT DISCLOSED. An unpleasant dome&tic case came before Dr. M' Arthur, S.M., m the Magistrate's Court this morning from Crofton. Martha Annie Bardsley was summoned by the police to find sureties to keep the peace to her daughter, 23 years of age, and an idiot. Sub-Inspector O'Donovan said the mother had threatened to kill the girl, and had been found outside the house chasing her with ja, spade. The girl was quite unable to defend herself; she was an idiot, and subject to fits. The mother was said to be addicted to violent outbursts of temper, and the girl's life was a constant misery. <he had been found once writhing in pain. What harm she had suffered it was impossible to say until she had been examined by a doctor and that could not be done until the parents' consent had been obtained. The police had frequently been called upon to interfere in troubles ip the house. Some time ago the husband had removed his wife and home from the city to Crofton to prevent her having easy access to drink, but the trouble still went on. Henry Bardsley, carpenter, said the girl was almost an imbecile, but he had no fear that bis wife would' do her an injury. The Magistrate said that was not sufficient. He must have sureties for her safety. He would not have it on his conscience if anything happened to her. Here the wife interrupted to say that the husband did not like the girl, and said she was in the way. He called her horrible names, and on the day of the spade incident had come into a room where the two of them were sewing, and after an outburst against the girl, had said: — "Do you think I am going to be encumbered with her? ' Why don't you kill the , and put her out of the way?" Driven almost frantic she cried, "Oh, I will," and, rushing out of the house, seized a spade. She had no intention of hurting her child — she could not do so. Never had she been separated from her since she had been born. It had been her intention not to say anything of this, because her husband had "told her«if she did that he would leave her, and, she concluded, "I know he will now." Dr. M' Arthur said this was a very serious state of things, indeed. Sub-Inspector O'Donovan remarked that it laid bare the whole pitiful state of affairs of the child's life. Bardsley said the girl should be in a Home. He suggested St. Mary's Magdalen Home at Christchurch. "That," said the Magistrate, "shows again your utter brutality — St. Mary's is a home for fallen women." Sub-Inspector O'Donovan said that probably Mother Mary Joseph Aubert would take the girl into her home for incurables, and the case was adjourned until this afternoon to make enquiries. The Magistrate ordered that the girl should be kept by the police in the meantime. On resuming this afternoon Sub-In-spector O'Donosan said that Mother Mary Joseph Aubert was unable to accommodate the girl at her home. It was overfull now. Edith Bardsley, 21 years of age, sister of the unfortunate girl, said she did not reside with her parents, but at a house opposite. Disagreements at home caused her to leave. There wias drinking and "other things" -going on. The home troubles had existed as long as she could remember. Her sister * was subject to fits. Besides her father, mother, and sister, a little brother about sixteen years of age resided at home. As far as she knew, her parents had always been very good to her sister, but her condition had been the cause of a great deal of the trouble between them. Her mother always took the girl's part, and consequently she did not suffer. Her mother's drinking habits had also been the cause of trouble at home. She had seen her mother rush at her father when he remonstrated on account of her drunkenness. Had never heard any threats of violence from either of her parents against her sister, but in trouble at night her mother would force her to go out with her, no matter what the weather was. Did. not remember the police being sent for last May. If her mother kept sober all would be well at home. She did not think her sister would be safe when her mother was drunk. Had seen her mother break the crockery in the house. She had never seen her father the worse for drink. Neither her father or her mother had ever ill-treated her sister as far as she knew. When she had fits she was treated kindly. The police had been called in when her mother was drinking and smashing the things in the house. For about two years her father had not spoken to her sister Ellen. In reply to Dr. M' Arthur, witness .said her mother's temper was of such a character that if she was under the influence of drink she would attack her sister with a spade. As long as her father was away from home her mother was harmless, but as soon as he came home and charged her with drinking she lost her temper. As long as her mother drank it was not safe for her sister to be at home. Ellen was quite helpless during her fits. To Sub-Inspector O'Donovan: Her father was a sober man, and industrious. She would be willing to come home again if her mother did riot drink. To her father: Declined to come home because of the rows. ■ The Sub-Inspector said that up till now the police enquiries had been more particularly as to what was to be done with defendant. "It has got beyond sureties of the peace, now," said Dr. M'Arthur. Bardsley said that as regards the statement charged against" him of expressing a wish for the girl to be killed, it arose from the fact that the girl was taken into a cold room, and when he saw that he said: "You might as well kill her at once." Dr. M'Arthur said he would take sureties for the wife's conduct if the girl was provided for away from home. The Sub-Inspector said the girl had been examined for lunacy by two doctors, but they had refused to give a certificate. Dr. M'Arthur said there was no doubt the girl was not wanted, and the cruelty that might be practised on her at home might never reach the public. A long discussion took place as to the best means of dealing with the case. Addressing the Magistrate, Mrs. Bardsley said the trouble had been put down to her drinking habits. But it was not all that. Her husband ill-treated the girl and wanted her to be made to do heavy work. The Magistrate said there was more behind it than appeared. He committed the girl to the Church of England Home at Karori for a week, by which time a decision could be arrived at as to what provision should be made for her.

I According to the Westport Times four coal trimmers weie accidentally battened down in the forehold of the steamer Dunbar last week, and were only discovered as the boat was on the point of sailing for Wellington. The men did not appear to be very much troubled about the prospect of a free trip to Wellington ; work at the waterside is not particularly brisk just now. The Premier states that there is no foundation for the report that a Christchurch butcher has been offered the position of manager of the New Zealand Government meat shops in Great Britain.

[ For Notices of Births, Marriages and Deaths, see Page I."}