METHODS OF POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18333, 24 February 1923, Page 11

METHODS OF POLICE.

UNDUE PRESSURE ALLEGED.

EXAMINING , A SUSPECT.

STRICTURES BY THE JURY.

[by TELEGRAPH.PRESS association.] WELLINGTON. Friday 1

"The jury is of opinion that the method of detaining the prisoner in this case for periods of four and three hours respectively, and in the second instance without food, is altogether against the principles of justice." This was the rider added to the verdict of not guilty returned in the Supreme Court on the charge preferred against Thomas Ferguson of having attempted to burn down the fire brigade station at Lower Hutt. It was alleged that the accused, • before being arrested, was detained by the police and crossquestioned for hours until, his father said, he was near to tears. It was denied that any pressure was brought to bear on the accused, who, the police said, had stated voluntarily that he had set fire to the brigade building, which was a very old one. ' v." I-'.:: " ■' .

The evidence of a woman resident of Lower Hutt, who had said ; she saw Ferguson at the fire . brigade station, was rejected as it was proved by an inspection of the locality that it was impossible, from where she said she was standing, to see what she had . described in evidence. In summing up, Mr. Justice Hoskinp referred to the allegations and said he hoped no undue pressure was used. He impressed upon - the jury the importance of remembering that all such statements must be made voluntarily.

WHITE WOMAN AND MAORI.

SORDID AFFILIATION CASE.

ORDER AGAINST DEFENDANT

Tho case in which Elizabeth Jane Barnes, a married woman (Mr. Matthews), sought an affiliation order against Rangipouri Marumaru (Mr. Dickson), was continued yesterday in tljo Magistrate's Court before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M.

At the commencement of the case, counsel for the complainant stated that Mrs. Barnes and her husband went to work at Rata, near Marton, on defendant's farm.- It was alleged that a few months later a remarkable transaction occurred, when it was agreed that Barnes should vacate the place and leave his wife with Marumaru for the payment of a sum of money, believed to be £400. Defendant and complainant then lived .as man and wife for a few days, and a child was afterwards born. ' Mr. Dickson, for the defendant, said that. Marumaru took the attitude that he had' been made the victim of a conspiracy ty Mr. and Mrs. Barnes. The couple came to his place through the introduction of another man. They were employed at a lesser amount than stated by complainant. jls soon as they arrived, Mrs. Barnes became very affectionate toward Marumaru. She suggested that she was not married to Barnes. She then originated the scheme that Barnes should go away to England or > Australia, and he was to receive the money from Marumaru, with which to go. Consequently he left the place, and the same night Mrs. Barnes showed Marumaru her marriage certificate, and said she had _ previously misled him because she was frightened of her husband. She lived with the Maori for some days, but resumed relationship with her husband when he came back a few days later. . ". Counsel said his client would be willing to provide maintenance for the ' child, , if he were proved the father, but he objected to being made the victim of a conspiracy. ,• h r - *,* * _ '\ Evidence was given by the defendant supporting counsel's ' statement. . He said that he had paid Barnes a post-dated cheque for £33 for wages due, and had also given him, not a 'cheque, but promissory notes, amounting to £400 in consideration of his leaving for England. Complainant's husband who had come up - from Wellington, went' into the box and gave, his version of the affair. . Finally, the magistrate intimated that he would make an affiliation ordei* against ' Marumaru, and also an order that past maintenance and birth expenses be paid ly defendant. > The- question of future maintenance was held over pending arrangements being, made to find a suitable home for the child. .