DROWNING OF A CHILD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16600, 25 July 1917, Page 6

DROWNING OF A CHILD.

THE KIRIKIRI SENSATION.

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST.

[BY TEI.EGRAriJ. —OWX CORRESPONDENT.]

THAMES, Tuesday. The adjourned inquest concerning the death of the little girl Irene Ellen Quinn, who was drowned near Kirikiri on July 19, and in connection with which two boys were arretted on a charge of murder, was continued to-day, before Mr. Lucas, acting-coroner.

Inspector Phair conducted the examination, and Messrs. Clendon and Hogbc watched the proceedings on behalf of the boys concerned. The inquiry lasted all day. Charles Quinn, the father of the girl, stated that he had no doubt that someone took the clothes off the child and pushed her into the stream, as she was barely six years old, and could not have unclothed herself.

Other evidence was to the effect that the child had i been seen in a paddock near the scene of the drowning with Claud Gibbons and Richard Reihana, and that subsequently the two boys were seen without her.

The evidence of the police showed that Gibbons had made a statement implicating Reihana, who, he said, had undressed the girl, lifted her into the water, and let her go. Reihana's statement was that when he saw the girl on the river bank she was undressed and that she fell in.

The verdict will be given to-morrow.