LUCY GOLDFINCH'S DEATH.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 285, 10 December 1907, Page 3

LUCY GOLDFINCH'S DEATH.

A CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER.

WHITE COMMITTED FOR

TRIAL,

LIGHT BAIL ALLOWED.

At the S.M. Court yesterday morning, before Mr A. D. Thomson, S.M., Emmanuel White, on remand from Friday, was charged with having by his negligence caused the death of Lucy Goldfinch. White was unrepresented by counsel. A report of the circumstances at-

tending the death has already ap peared in the"Times" in connectior with the inquest on Faiday last. Dr. Putnam deposed that he had attended deceased. He was called in on Monday afternoon and had continued in attendance till the time ol her death. The child had died of laceration of the brain and a fall from a horse could easily have caused D. B. Harris, chemist, said he had seen the accident from beginning to end. Two children were placed on the horse by the accused just opposite the Empire Hall in Princess street. The horse was going at an easy canter but was trying to put its back up, as if to buck. He saw the children fall one on top of the other. Whtie seemed quite sober. Sidney Goldfinch, brother of deceased said his sister had been brought home on Monday, and was attended by Dr. Putnam. She died on Wednesday morning. Alice Stubbs said she was returning from school on Monday with Lucy Goldfinch and others. White had stopped them and asked them to have a ride. They refused. Later on they overtook White again. Some other children were then having rides and *so on being asked again they consented. Witness got into the saddle and deceased got on behind. The horse started at a walk, then galloned. The accused had told them not to go fast. They both fell off and deceased was stunned. Two ladies carried her away. On being questioned by White, she said she did not remember him asking them not to go far. Edwin Lorck said he was coming home fxom school on Monday afternoon and had a ride on the accused's horse. He had ridden a horse before but could not ride very 1 well. He went as far as the Post Office. The hor«e seemed quiet enough and did not occasion him any alarm. He went slowly at a trot or walk. He saw Alice Stubbs and Lucy Goldfinch get on the horse. Hβ saw them fall. Lucy seemed to pull the other off. White old not do anything to assist. Charles Dennan said he was working on the railway close to the Empire Hotel. He saw accused help two girls on the horse. He turned away a minute and when he looked back the horse was going a good pace. He spoken to accused about half an hour before the accident, and found him under the influence of drink. White i>aid he had bought the horse for the children as he was rather heavy for a man. 2 This closed the evidence. Emmanuel White, in his own defence, said that what he did on Monday to give the children amusement as he had done on other occasions. He asked them to go slowly. After the accident he ran down to the place. There were two ladies there and one of them said that she was afraid Lucy Goldfinch was hurt. Witness thought it was 'only a bit of a knock-oat," and so went away as far as Fitzherbert street. Then he thought of his man who was working near the Gospel Hall, and returned there and showed him where to tip the loads of metal. He tlu/n went home. When asked whether he wanted to plead guilty or say nothing, accused said he preferred to say nothing. * His Worship said he thought it was a case for a jury to decide. He therefore committed White for trial at the March sittings of the Supreme Oourt in Paimerston. Bail was allowed, self for £50, and one surety of £50 or two in £25.