CHILDREN MALTREATED

Otago Witness, Issue 3442, 2 March 1920, Page 53

CHILDREN MALTREATED

PROMINENT UNIONIST CHARGED. PLEA OF LOSS OF MEMORY. WELLINGTON, February 25. At the Magistrate's Court this afternoon Charles Grayndler, secretary of the Shearers'" Union, was charged with having ill-treated and beaten his three children, aged eight, 11, and 13 years. Medical evidence showed that they were bruised about tho head and body, apparently by a strap, stick, and kicks.. Some of the bruises were accompanied by abrasions. The .children were suffering from shock, but were well nourished.

Called as a witness for the defence, Dr Faulke said that defendant, when witness first saw him, appeared to be suffering from the effects of influenza. He was mentally confused, and in some respects appeared to have lost his memory. Witness directed his removal to a private hospital, and in such an institution Grayndler remained for a time under witness's observation. Defendant's nervous condition was in many respects abnormal. In witness's opinion Gras'ndler could not be held responsible for what had happened. Grayndler had delusions about his wife and a Maori. He required a complete rest. To Sub-inspector Emerson: In my opinion defendant did not realise he was beating the children. He was not aware he was doinq; the children an injury.

• Other witnesses gave evidence bearing on the state of Grayndler's nerves. Grayndler, in evidence, said that he did not remember having beaten the children, but he believed their statements. He had searched his mind, but could not. recollect what had happened. He had reared eight children, and was fond of them all. To Sub-inspector Emerson: His condition had been brought about through overwork during -the past five years. He had refused to accept a holiday till he had completed his work .. '

To the Mi gistrate: Since leaving hospital he had been staying at a boarding-house. His wife had always been a good one, and a good mother to the children. Decision was reserved till Friday morning. February 27.

Mr Page, S.M., delivered judgment today in the case in which Charles Grayndler, secretary of the New Zealand Shearers' Union, was charged with ill-treating three of his children —two boys aged 11 and 13 and a girl aged 8. The evidence given during the hearing was to the effect that the children were cruelly thrashed and kicked.

The Magistrate said he must enter a conviction. The defence raised was that Grayndler was at the time not responsible for his actions, being a lunatic within the meaninjr of the Act. No doubt the man was sick, but the defence was not sufficient to exempt him from criminal responsibility. He would be fined £lO, in default 21 days" imprisonment, on the first. charge of illtreatins the boy 11 years of age, arid convicted and ordered to come up in 12 months' time on the other phai-ges.