MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24178, 21 January 1942, Page 9

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE

INFANT'S BODY FOUND MAORI GIRL FOR TRIAL (0.C.) WHANGAREI. Tuesday The discovery of the body of a newlyborn male native child on the beach at Portland on January 3 led to Erina, I Paul, a Maori woman, aged 20, of Motatau, being charged with manslaughter before Messrs. G. H. Morrish and J. G. Draper, J.P:'s, at Whangarei to-day, It was alleged that she unlawfully killed her male child at Portland on December 31. 1941, thereby committing manslaughter. Dr. ~H. F. Buckley said he found a slight fracture of the infant's skull and in his opinion death was due to shock following the fracture of the skull and exposure owing to lack of care and attention. A large stone produced could have caused the fracture if it had been hurriedly placed on the head of the child. The fracture was not severe enough to cause death. Ripa Nathan, of Portland, said he found the body of a child and handed it over to tlie police. Detective G. S. Miller said the accused admitted having given birth to a child at Portland. She said she left it there and did not know whether it was alive or not. When told about the fracture to tho skull, she said she did not do it, but added that she put a rock on or near the child. This may have been the cause. Paul pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court at Auckland for trial.