NEWLANDS SENSATION

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11411, 6 January 1923, Page 4

NEWLANDS SENSATION

FINDING OF CHILD’S BODY DETECTIVE LAYS FORMAL FACTS BEFORE CORONER. INQUEST ADJOURNED SINE DIE. The inquest concerning the death of the infant child found at Johnsonville was conducted -before Mr F. K. Hunt yesterday afternoon. Senior-Detective Lewis appeared on behalf of the police, and Mr Maule on Mrs Cooper’s behalf. Detective Jarrold said he visited Johnsonville on Tuesday and Wednesday last. On Wednesday at about 11.30 a.m. he searched a piece of ground on the section on which Mr Cooper's house stands. Continuing the detective said that he raked away some leaves from under some trees and a patch of clay was revealed. The outline of a hole was discovered and upon following it down for a depth of about two feet he discovered the scull of an infant child. With assistance he dug all around the body. He did not remove the body from the hole, but left it there until Dr. Wright’s arrival. The body at the time of finding was lying face downwards, the legs being drawn up' under the body. Subsequently it was removed to the morgue. Asked how far away from the house the bodv was found, the detective said about 25 yards. Senior-Detective Lewis said that as there was ho more evidence he would ask for an adjournment. _ The ooronor adjourned the inquest sine die.

AT NEWLANDS

SEARCH BEING CONTINUED. Up to a late hour last night there was nothing further to report in connection with the Newlands (Johneonville) case, but special members of the detective force were carrying on investigations yesterday in the ground round about Cooper’s reaidenoe. It is by po means an easy task, conducting a search of this character in such rugged country, covered as the ground is with bush and gorae The work, however, is being most thoroughly carried out, and casual passersby look on* curiously at the proceedings. Daniel Richard Cooper, and his wife,’ Martha Elizabeth Cooper, ere at present in custody on a charge of unlawfully detaining -the infant male child,, aged about ten days, of Hugo Lupi and Lily Lister. A charge of a more serious character is pending, nod will be heard in the Magistrate's Court shortly