THE ELMSLEY CASE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 24, 27 July 1929, Page 11

THE ELMSLEY CASE

PLEA OF NOT GUILTY

COMMITTAL FOR TRIAL

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, This Day. The hearing of charges against Peter Alexander Elmsley of denying his wife the necessities of life concluded in the Police Court this morning when further evidence of a sensational character was given. The accused's daughter Justine, aged 15J, said that her mother and father never got on woll together. Counsel: "Did your mother ever say that she was starving?" Witness: "No, but she often said that she was hungry." Asked if she had stuck needles into her mother, the girl said: "Yes, but not lately."

"Why did you do that," she was asked, and replied, "Because she annoyed us."

Further evidence of the conditions at the Elmsley home was given by neighbours. One woman said that she frequently planted food in the tea-tree for Mrs. Elmaley, who was afraid to have it delivered to. the. house because of her husband.

James Bruce, of Waercuga, farmer, said he recently invited the Elmsleys to his house to hear the radio. Witness told a story of a man who had sold hi 3 wife for a. glass of whisky, and the accused said: "I would sell mine for less than that. I would give him one to take her away." Detective Bickerdykv said the accused when arrested said that he had always treated his wife well. Later he said that.lie would like to.make a statement, which was that his wife was a truthful and moral woman and that anything said would be the truth. The accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed for trial.

An earlier. stage of this ease is reported on page 6.