CORONER'S REPRIMAND

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 24 January 1929, Page 5

CORONER'S REPRIMAND

WITNESS TENDS APOLOGY.

DRAMATIC COURT SCENE. INTERLUDE AT INQUEST. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Jan.'23. Tho inquest into the death of. Henry Edward Ashby, aged 16, who .escaped from the Mount Albert probation home on December 6 and jumped over Grafton bridge in the early hours of the following morning, provided a dramatic scene.

Thomas Edwards, uncle of the hoy, said that after Henry was released on license from the probation, home and went to stay with his grandmother at> Avondale he was found a job at a chemist’s shop. The Child Welfare Department communicated with the employer and said the boy was under the care of the State. ’Witness alleged that as a result the boy Was dismissed. Shortly afterwards, witness’ mother intended moving and the Welfare Department was asked to take care of the boy again. He returned to the home on December 5. Witness saw Henry a few days before his death and the boy then said: “The Child Welfare Department has said enough to me today to fix me.” No explanation was given as to the import of this statement and witness did not question his nephew-. “I blame the Child Welfare Department for everything that lias happened; they hounded the boy down,” witness added.

“That is scandalous, you must not use expressions like that,” the coroner, Mi-. F. K. Hunt, S.M., said. “By saying he is hounded down you imply the department did it purposely.” Witness: Exactly.

J. S'. Cupit, child: welfare officer at Auckland, said it was scandalous .that the Child Welfare Department should do its best for a hoy and that witness should make statements absolutely contrary to' fact. The boy’s position at the chemist’s shop w r as not permanent. The chemist advised them he intended to do away with boy’s services in about a fortnight. The lad was to have applied for a position with another firm but he failed to keep an appointment with the manager and the job was lost for him. - J “If that iboy Had 'been treated- properly at home,” said-.Cupit, “he would not have run away.” UNCLE VOICES OBJECTION. Edwards interjected: ‘‘Look, you have no right to say that.” “Boys run away from perfectly good homes,” said the coroner. “You stand down, I do not want to hear any more from, you.” Edwards: “It is all very well— ’’ The coroner: “Stand down. Do not be impudent or T shall send you to gaol for 14 days. You are in court now.” ‘ ‘All right, but you may hear more of this,” called Edwards as he resumed liis seat. ' “I am not going to have that,” the coroner said. “Stand up and-apologise for what you did. Come along Stand up,” the coroner added as Edwards demurred. “Yes, I am sorry,” Edwards said. “Yes, and you had. better apologise,” the coroner said. Henry Edwards, another uncle of the boy, said the boy behaved for some time after being released on license land then became out of control. He frequented racecourses and on one occasion went to a race meetig without permission. The boy was fairly happy while at home.

Evidence was given that the boy said if he were returned to the home he would not stay more than two days. He did not like the idea of doing farm work as the hours were too long.

In giving his verdict that the boy died through injuries xeceived as a result of jumping over Grafton bridge, the coroner said : “It is very unfortunate. There seems to be xnixed control in the family; each one was taking to himself the right to look after this boy. ’ ’