HUSBAND SENT FOR TRIAL

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 71, 29 July 1929, Page 5

HUSBAND SENT FOR TRIAL

ALLEGED ILLTREAT3IENT OF WIFE.

STATEMENT BY ACCUSED. AUCKLAND, July 27. The hearing o£ the charge against Peter Alexander Elmsley of denying his wife the necessities of life concluded in the Police Court this morning, when further evidence < f a sensational character was given. Accused daughter Justine, aged 15?;, said her mother and father never got. on well together. Counsel: “Did your mother e'vei say she was starving?” Witness: “No, but she often said she was hungry.” Asked if she had stuck needles into her mother the girl said “yes, but not lately.” “Why did you do that ” she was asked, and replied, “because she annoyed us.” i Farther evidence of conditions at the Elmsley home was given by neighbours. One woman said she frequently “planted” food in the trees for Mrs Elmsley, who was afraid to have it delivered to the house because of her husband. Jame g Bwace, of Waereuga, farmer, said he recently invited the Elmsleys to his house to hear the radio. Witness told the story of the man who had sold hi s wi"e for a glass of whisky. Accused said, I would sell mine for less than that. I would give him one to take her away.” j Detective Bickerdyke said accused, when arrested, said he had always treated his wife well. Later he said he would like to make a statement, which was that his wif.e was a truthful and moral woman and that anything she said would be the truth. Accused pleaded not guilty and .was committed for tidal.