EFFECTS OF MENTAL STRAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14808, 11 October 1911, Page 5

EFFECTS OF MENTAL STRAIN

ECHO OF THE KINGSLANO CASE. OUT FOR A LITTLE PLEASURE. Mrs. Mary Hasseix and Mrs. Charlotte Campbell appeared before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, and pleaded guilty to a joint charge of having been disorderly whilst drunk in Albert-street on the previous day. . _~:-.' *>■ ■ . Mr. Allan Moody appeared for accused, and said both the women etcod charged with being accessories after the fact of murder in connection with the charge against Mrs. Martha Jane O'Shaughnessy. Both the defendants were under great mental strain, and worrying about the position in which they were placed, on account of this case still hanging over their heads. The result was that they had indulged too freely in liquor. This was the first time Campbell had ever been charged with drunkenness, but Hassell was convicted in 1910. The disturbance with which they were now charged was brought about through them taking too much drink; but their conduct was not in view of the public, and there was nothing in it to offend against public decency. He asked His Worship not to deal severely with them, and expressed the hope that the Court would regard it as a case in which some sympathy could be extended to these two unfortunate women, in view of the fact that a most serious charge was hanging over them. Both were married women, and both had young children, and the punishment meted out to them would no doubt fall heavier upon the children than upon the defendants themselves. Sub-Inspector Hendrey reminded His Worship that the charge against the defendants was disorderly conduct; they had drunk so much that they practically became lunatics. In fact, it would not have been difficult to have formulated possibly 40 charges against each of them for their outrageous conduct on Monday, as they used insulting words in the public street to more than one individual. But all their offences were covered by the general charge of disorderly conduct. It might be better if both of them wore compelled to abstain from drink altogether, if they would consent to prohibition orders being issued against them. Mi*. Moody : Oh, Your Worship, I must object to that—a little drink is the only pleasure these unfortunate women have His Worship. A very dangerous pleasure.. Fined £1, and 6s costs, each.