TERRIBLE STORY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 204, 29 July 1929, Page 2

TERRIBLE STORY.

SENSATIONAL EVIDENCE. ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 27. The hearing of the charge against Peter Alexander Elmslev of denying his wife the necessities of life was concluded in the Police Court this morning when further evidence of a sensational character was given. I Accused’s daughter, Justine, aged 15J years, said that her mother and father never got on well together. Counsel: Did your mother ever say she was starving?—Witness: No, but she often said she was hungry.

' Asked if she had stuck needles into her mother, the girl said: Yes, but not lately. Why did you do that?—Witness: Because the annoyed us. | Further evidence of the conditions at. Elmsley’s home was given by neighbours. One woman said that she frequently planted food in the teatree for Mrs Elmsley, who was afraid to have it delivered to tho house because of her husband. James Bruce, of Waerenga, a farmer, said that he recently invited the Elmsleys to his house to hear the radio. Witness had told the story of a man who had sold his wife for a glass of whisky. Accused said: “I would sell mine for less than that; I would give him. one to take her away.” Detective Bickerdvke said that accused when arrested said he had always treated his wife well. Later he said he would like to make a statement which was that his wife was a ■truthful and moral woman and that anything she said would be the truth. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial.