MAORI GIRL’S DEATH

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 July 1946, Page 9

MAORI GIRL’S DEATH

SENTENCE OF FOUR YEARS’ DETENTION MANSLAUGHTER PENALTY NELSON, July 29. A sentence of four years’ reformative detention was imposed on. Patrick Wilfred Hardy, aged 18, who was found guilty in the Supreme Court last week of manslaughter. Hardy had been charged with the murder of Rang! Tai Otimi in the Queen’s Gardens on June 20. Sentencing Hardy, Mr Justice Fair said: “You have been found guilty of causing the death of a young Maori girl with whom you were associated for some time on friendly terms. The jury has properly, in the circumstances, given you the benefit of the doubt as to whether you intended to cause her death, and made, a recommendation to mercy on account of your youth. But taking the most lenient view of your conduct, you committed this crime in a fit of anger or resentment that shows inhumanity and lack of self-control, indicating the gravest defects in your character and conduct.

“The particulars put before the Court of your upbringing and personal conduct show that those grave defects are not due to your education or home life, for these have been such as to give every opportunity and encouragement to be a good citizen.’’ added His Honor. “It appears, on the contrary, that your faults and crime were caused by your selfishness, vanity, and ingratitude.” His Honor added that four years’ reformative detention was the least the Court could impose.