A CHARGE OF CRUELTY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10518, 28 July 1910, Page 2

A CHARGE OF CRUELTY.

(Peii Press Association.) Wellington, July 27. - At the Magistrate's Court to-day Valentine Moiser was charged with illtreating a child four years and ten months old. The charge arose out of a recent fire at defendant's house when the child was rescued from a burning .bed. Evidence was given by neighbors that they had 'frequently heard the child crying. On the 18th July one witness stated that she noticed the front room of Moiser's house on fire. All the doors and windows were locked. Together with, a man who was in l!he vicinity she broke into the house and saw the child brought out. There was a charred band of rag clinging to the child, and a loop was tied round "its neck. The child was in a filthy condition, and there were sores about its face and arms and head. It was also stated that the child was in an emaciated condition. Accused told a constable that she left home about 2 p.m. on the day of the fire. She left the. child in bed with a string attached to the bed. That was her usual practice. There were matches on the dressing table, but when she returned they Avere scattered about. Accused, who declared she was innocent of the charge, was committed for trial.