THE OTAKI MANSLAUGHTER CASE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7542, 18 August 1902, Page 2

THE OTAKI MANSLAUGHTER CASE.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, August 16. The trial of Harriet Drake was con tinned.

For the defence, Jessie Bioknell, who had been governess to the Drake children, sftid she bad abundant opportunity for observing Mrs Drake's treatment of her family, and found her a most devoted mother.

Mrs Barraud, who had resided at Otaki, said the children, including deceased, always appeared happy. Mrs Hayes, who had been in service with the Drakes, gave corroborative evidence as to no difference being made by accused in her treatment of Dorothy and the others.

Mrs Rees, Alfred Enox, Katherine Bird, and Matilda Greeks gave similar testimony.

Accused elected to give evidence on her own behalf. She admitted having tied the child to a fenoe to keep it from mischief, but denied cruelty. She admitted having beaten the child with a whip on the day of the cbild'u death, but denied having used undue severity. She also denied having ever treated Dorothy differently from the other children, having entertained a dislike towards her, having accused her husband of impropriety with a servant, having broken a hair brush on Dorothy's head on a previous occasion, having spoken to Dr Power suggesting there should be no inquiry as to death, or having made a statement to Constable O'Rourke and Deteotive McGratb about beating the child severely (