SHOCKING CRUELTY TO CHILDREN.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3272, 23 March 1885, Page 2

SHOCKING CRUELTY TO CHILDREN.

(By Telegraph.) Dukbdik, March SI. To-night's Star gives the following particulars of a gross case of cruelty to children on the part of a father and step-mother, which has caused among the neighbors at Kensington an excitement almost equal to that of the Wain case. The fatheris an express man named Alexander Fleming, and his first wife died m June last. In November he married Caroline Condon and entrusted to her care the children by his first ma mage, John (aged eleven), Mary (nine), and Isabella (five). Eecently the immediate neighbors of Mr and Mrs Fleming entertained suspicions that the children received more whippings than they deserved, but it was not until the last few days back that they were made cognisant of the nature of the beatings. Facts have now come out which leave it a matter beyond all doubt that the children have been subjected to brutal ill-usage, and that with little or no provocation. A Mrs Greatrex seems to have put the police on the alert m regard to the case, and Sergt. Macdonnell, from information which he received from her last night, proceeded with Constable 'Walton to Fleming's house. The former at once took it upon himself to make an examination of the children, and he found marks of such severe whippings that he took charge of them and had them examined by Dr Ferguson. This gentleman afterwards gave the following certificate: — " I hereby certify that at the request of Sergt. Macdonell, of South Dunedin, I have this evening examined John, Mary, and Isabella Fleming, the children of Alexander Fleming, residing m Kensington. Their bodies present indications of their having been cruelly beaten, being covered with red angry streaks or lines from the head to the feet. There aro marks of bruises of oldstanding m different parts of the body." This morning we were afforded an opportunity of seeing the children, and were horrified by a Bight of marks which could only be the result of whippings equal to the lashes prescribed for hardened criminals. From head to foot the unfortunate children were covered with excoriations, and m many of the cuts there were signs of blood. Not aportion of the bodies with the exception of the faces had escaped stripes which must have caused intense agony. The children were bright, intelligent and good looking, and from their demeanor we should judge that they would take their -place among the best behaved m any community. The boy informed us that his injuries were caused by the beatings of his father and mother, the latter having beaten him last, evening and the former a few days ago. The girl Mary told a similar story, but the younger one would not state how she received the fearful cuts and bruises all over her. Mrs Wall, who has lived next door to the Flemings for the hut six weeks, has heard the children beaten almost daily, and Mrs Lamb, the previous tenant, saw the boy beaten several times by Mrs Fleming, who had also threatened more than once to murder the children. The children have been attending the Kensington Publio School, and get an excellent character for obedience and respectfulness from the head teacher, Mr Moore. Fleming and his wife wero brought up at the Police Court to-day on one of several informations which have been laid against them. They wero defended by Mr Macgrogor. Dr Ferguson, m his evidence, said ho had been told the lashings were given with a cart whip. The children had received a cruel beating. He had never seen children so tortured before, and hoped he never would again. The accused were remanded till next Wednesday, and the children, at the request of the police, and with the consent of the parents, were given into the custody of their aunt.