DID THE TRAINGLE CRASH?

NZ Truth, Issue 1031, 29 August 1925, Page 8

DID THE TRAINGLE CRASH?

Ruined Girl Says Lover Deserted

ABORTION CHARGE FOLLOWS— DRIVEN FROM HOME— LOST BUSINESS

The girl on whom the alleged operation was performed told Magistrate Poynton m the Auckland Court: "I am very sorry, but if the man had stood by me I would not have had to bring the woman up."

A CHARGE of abortion that came before Mr. Poynton, S.M., m Auckland was remarkable for the fact that the names of the accused woman, and of all witnesses, were ordered to be suppressed; and that the girl m the case gave some peculiar evidence. If her statement is true, she was one corner m the abortion triangle. The abortion triangle is different from the husband-wife-paramour triangle, because m the former the three parties generally hang together (knowing that if they do not hang, together they will hang separately) and. come through the ordeal without being detected. But, m the matrimonial triangle, the three are never all m one another's confidence (unless it be m such a monstrous case as was lately before the Dunedin Courts). This fact is probably . sufficient to explain why adultery is a more easily detectable offence than abortion. Time For Trembling". But When the girl m the abortion triangle breaks down or kicks over the traces, then it is that the illegal operator and the interested man tremble m their shoes. Most men, when placed m such situations, recognise the needs of the case, and extend to the girl, both before and a.fter the operation, such consideration, moral and financial, as they feel she needs. Whether their reason for doing so is sordid or generous, the fact remains that it is done. And when it. is not done trouble is liable to arise. Does the case heard m Auckland I I come within the latter category? That i is a matter that must not be prejudged. It is a question for the jury. Prior to her discovery of the conduct which she complains of m the man, the girl says that she held tight the secret: I denied, -everything beforehand. I denied it to my own mother. I have lost my business and I have no home. I loved that man; I was very fond of him. While he was kissing and loving me, I

found out he v/as taking out other girls ail the time. In illustration of the alleged callousness of the man, thG girl m the case (we use. the word "girl" to distinguish her from the accused, but she is aged 35) stated, with bursts of weeping and sobbing: When I told my man I was m pain, all he said was: "I have finished with you. I never loved you. I only looked upon your body as sport." Afterwards she found out that she was "only one m a. dozen, but the unfortunate one who was caught." "A Winner at Last." In reply to Chief- Detective Olimmings, she said that she had known the man (who was a dentist) since she was 15 years of age. She had known the whole family well. For several months prior to November, 1924, she was on friendly terms with him — "very much so," she significantly remarked to the Chief Detective. She told how m consequence of relations with him she found herself m a certain condition, and how he had supplied her with pills till she was close on a physical breakdown. Then she came to Auckland, and he followed. He introduced her to the accused and made certain arrangements. Witness, along with him, went' to accused's house, and m the car going there he gave her two cheques for £17 10s each, which she afterwards gave to accused. She told m graphic language of her treatment m the house of the accused (which extended to nearly a week),' and of the attempts that she alleged were made to procui-e a miscarriage, which (she said) ultimately succeeded. A further instalment of £10 was sent to accused by the man, who called to see her while she was undergoing the treatment. The day the operations were successful accused 'sent to the man an urgent wire, which stated: "A winner at last." Witness returned to her home town, and, m. consequence of illness, had no

undergo an operation at a later stage. While she was at the house of the accused there were women' visitors calling all the time. One particular woman came from New Plymouth for a miscarriage. Accused told witness she pitied the woman, who was m the same condition as herself. Mr. Singer, for accused, put a few questions. Who was the first person you spoke to of your condition? — I mentioned it to a lady friend of mine. I mean after the alleged operation? — I told him. When he was sitting m my. sitting-room and I was m pain. He said; "I have finished with you. I never loved you; I only looked upon your body as sport." He loved me and kissed me the whole way through. [Turned Prom Home. Counsel had difficulty m getting the witness to grasp the purpose of his questions, and she continued her impassioned outburst. She said she had denied it to everyone. She was turned out of her mother's home. All round her home town ,it had been stated that she had had a child, which she denied. Witness continued: "He let me clown, and I have lost my home and my business." He asked her not to "put him up,", saying he would help her; then he went away and left her m debt. "I said 1 would put him up unless he lent me £50 or £100 to get out of ■. I said I would put him up if he did not stand by me. I had no home and wanted to get out of the place." Counsel: How much, did you ask him for? — I asked him for nothing. He said: "I will Help you. I will never leave you m the mud." Why should I shield him if he would not shield me? He hid me, buried me, and was taking another girl out all the time. Did you ever threaten him with a breach of promise? — No, I did nothing of the sort. I would have told tjo one if he had got me out of . He s;iid he v ould pay my board but lie cleared out of and left me m debt. I loved that man; I was very foud of him. . . . He was afraid of his own skin, not mine. Several other witnesses were called to corroborate the girl's story relating to her movements, the sending of telegrams, and the drawing and depositing of the cheques. Detectives White, Barling and O'Brien also gave evidence, a lengthy statement 'by the accused being put m, m which she denied performing the operation. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.