FIGHTING FOR A CHILD

NZ Truth, Issue 1001, 31 January 1925, Page 5

FIGHTING FOR A CHILD

Man Dies After Struggle

Two Brothers Arrested On Manslaughter Charge. (From "Truth's" Hawkes Bay Rep.) The Marine Parade, Napier, was the scene of. an extraordinary episode on Sunday night last, ending m the death of William Chalmers Clark, a well-known business man of Port Ahuriri. As a result, two well-known Hastings residents, John and Maurice Breen, have been arrested on a charge of manslaughter. Apparently the whole incident was the result of a dispute over the guardianship of a fourteen-year-old boy, a nephew of the two Breens. The boy's mother was formerly a Miss Breen, and oh the death of the father he. was sent to live with the parents, of the mother m Hastings. It is alleged that here he was illtreated and one day last week the mother, Mrs. Wilson, took her boy back and lived' m Napier. Accompanied by Mr. Clark, her son and two other ladies, went to Wai- i roa, and it was on returning on Sun-: day night that- the tragedy occurred. On arrival they were immediately met by. the two Breen brothers, who tried to take the child from the car, a toy revolver being used m the proceedings. Clark made an effort to stop them and this wa: followed by an argument and blows. The Breens secured the child and made off m a car for Hastings, but later they were arrested and brought back. After the struggle Clark, with his. head showing- bloodstains, went inside the ■ house, .65 Marine Paz-ade.anid collapsed, expiring before the doctor's arrival. No" definite announcement has been made- as to the cause of death and to the general public at least there is a good deal of conjecture. - The boy is now m the- custody of the police. . The accused were brought before the Court on . Monday morning, . but were remanded till February 2. Bail was refused. ■ - .■■