IMMORAL GIRL

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 July 1925, Page 3

IMMORAL GIRL

“MOTHER SHOULD BE IN DOCK.”

(Special to “Star.”)

CHRISTCHURCH, July 29.

Details of a shocking nature were revealed when Reuben Tauliao Kopu, a Maori, aged 24, who was represented by Mr. Sargent, was charged in the Magistrate’s Court to-day with carnally knowing a girl aged 14 years and 11 months. Two J’s P. were on the 1 Bench. Accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.

“This is one of the most disgraceful cases that I have come across in my professiomd care&r,” said Mr. Sargent. “Instead of this young man being in the dock the girl’s mother should be there, for- having encouraged her daughter to misconduct herself with men.”

“We quite agree,” said the Bench. Mr. Sargent added that the case was not the usual one of an innocent girl being ravished, and he was sure a jury would acquit under the circumstances, but as the law stood, the accused would have to plead guilty. Chief Detective Gibson, who prosecuted, asked that if bail was allowed it should be substantial. Bail was refused.

A youth of 17, William Ernest Richards, was then charged with a similar offence in respect of the same girl. Chief Detective Gibson prosecuted, and Mr. Batchelor represented the accused. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed to the- Supreme Court for trial.

In applying for bail, Mr. Batchelor said that the facts of the case were totally different from the case of the Maori. The boy had only turned 17 on the day on which he was arrested. The speaker wished to reiterate Mr. Sargent’s remark that the person in the dock should be the mother of the girl. The defence in the Supreme Court would be that accused had reasonable grounds for believing tj€ girl was over the age of 16. Chief Detective Gibson said he had no objection to bail. Bail was granted, accused to report daily to the police.