SERIOUS OFFENCES

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4805, 3 July 1939, Page 6

SERIOUS OFFENCES

SEVEN CHARGES. AGAINST WAIMIHA RESIDENT. At the Taumarunui Court last week, before Messrs. W. Meade and W. Thomas, J.P.'s, Bociassini Corrado, an Italian by birth and a painter by trade, residing at. Waimiha, was brought up on seven charges of alleged carnal knowledge with Maori girls agen from 12 to 16 years, all resident of 'J/aumarunui. The offences were alleged to have been committed during school holidays in the Domain, in the bath sheds at Victory Bridge, and at other places in the town. The offences were also alleged to have been committed in the daytime as well as by night. It was alleged also that accused hired and paid 30s for a taxi to take three girls and a boy to his hut where they stayed the night, and offences were committed there, the girls and boy returning to Taumarunui by train next day. It was alleged by three girls that offences took place wtih each of them in the presence of the others and that accused gave them sums of money varying from sixpence to five shillings. Six girls gave evidence alleging offences. Constable McLennan, Ongarue, gave evidence that he made inquiries into the matter as the result of complaints aboutt here girls staying with accused at Waimiha on the night of May 22. Witness obtained a statement from accused in which he denied the offences. At an identification parade at the police station, the girls in the case each picked the accused from a row of eight men. By Mr. Cotton: The complaints were not made and the inquiries were not made until after accused's hut had been broken into by two Maori boys on May 25. These boys had since come before the Children's Court.

Sergeant Abel prosecuted and Mr. E. P. Cotton appeared for accused. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was renewed, self in £IOO and one surety of £IOO.