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Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1923, Page 1

parted apparently good friends. Witncss never at any time heard Colder say he would get even with Cooper. Witness had .made unsuccessful efforts to find Colder since about nine months ago. Cooper’s house and store was burnt, but the house was later rebuilt. This concluded the evidence concerning the finding of the second baby. • THE THIRD BABY. WELLINGTON, April 23. In the Cooper case, after lunch, evict nee was taken concerning the finding of the tlord baby. Constable Carroll gave evidence as to finding the h:;dv on the 3rd of April about 18 inches below the surface. Dr Wright -aid he removed the body from the grave, and on the following day held a post mortem examination. This body was better preserved than the .-croud one. The -bull appeared to tv burst, and the sea ip torn, probably by natural miuses. and licit by exterior violence. '! la* child , probably a lull-tune child. I lie bones wen* those of a new-born child. It appeared to be lighter than the second baby, and the skull was smaller. Witness thought tin* I- u!y- bad been underground for about- six moi!,.iis. He was nimble to say what the sex of the child was. The (a use of death was also unable to lie determined. Witness said that the bursting of the skull would be consistent with violence either before or after death. i

Detective McLennan gave evidence that lie and Senior Detective Lewis laid interviewed the two accused, and told them that the child was found. They asked for an explanation. The female accused referred them to .Mr Wilford. The male accused said he knew absolutely nothing about any of the children which hud been found on his property. S- ninr Detective Lewis gave corroborative evidence. This concluded the ease.