"MISCHIEF"

Marlborough Express, Volume LI, Issue 96, 25 April 1917, Page 2

"MISCHIEF"

BREAKING UP A HAPPY-HOME

TWO WOMEN IN COURT.

At Oamaru last \reek Anna Elizabotli Harding was charged with committing mischief, on the "promise's of Mr Sto'ffi'ii, Kurow,' and ..doiiip; danlasfe.to the extent of £IQO. A similar elinrge was made against Jessie Pratt, wife of the constable <it Kurow.

Statements made by the accused to

the police, were put in by Detective Hammerley. These showed, that the Steffans were held in •= disfavor by; both women on' account of their proGerman riews: On the night ot March 22, while Steffan and his wife were absent frotn nome, Mrs Hardy called on Mrs Pratt ? and said th/it she must get rid oi that woman (meaning Mrs Steffan), who was nothing but a pro-German. Ine pair went across to Sleffan's house, and Mrs Hardy, after fiiing the chain on the front gate, entered the building and broke all the jars of jam and preserves, and all the mirrors and crockery, remarking: :' "The old wretch, she won't take my character away and ray children's." \ She also cut the .-eats of the chairs.- Mrs Pratt did not do any of the damage, but was present throughout. In the course of .her evidence Mrs Steffan assessed the value of the property destroyed at kloU, and stated that included amongst it was a wardrobe in solid mahogany which had cost £75. • , . \ The Magistrate (Mr Bartholomew) committed the accused Hardy ror trial at the next sitting or -the Supreme Court at Dune&m, bail being fixed in her own recognisance for £50 and one .surety for a like amount. The charge against the accused Pratt was dismissed.