IN THE DOCK

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18063, 8 March 1923, Page 6

IN THE DOCK

TRIAL OF COOPERS’ BABIES DISAPPEAR MURDER CHARGE IS LAID SCENES AT THE HEARING PHKSS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. After a number of remands the hearing of tho more sensational charges in tho Newlands case were proceeded with at tho Magistrate's Court to-day, before Air E. Page. S.M. Mr P. S. K. Alacassoy, Crown Prosecutor, conducted the ease, and Air C. A. L. Troadwcll appeared for the male accused, Daniel Richard Cooper, and Air P. AY. Jackson for the female accused, Martha Elizabeth Cooper.

When the first charge, that they (lid, at Newlands, on or about October 20, 1922, murder the infant child of Margaret Alary AlcLeod and William James AVclsh, was preferred, both accused appeared calm and undisturbed. The age of tho child was given as ten days. At the outset, Air Alacassey said ha did not propose to address the Court, but would proceed to call evidence. THE' EVIDENCE. The first witness, Margaret Mary AlcLeod, said she was introduced to the male accused at his office in Lambton Quay, in February, 1922. She ' went to him for medical examination, thinking she was pregnant. She was examined with an instrument. Tho male accused told witness she was about one month pregnant, was in a bad state of health, and that he did not give much chance for the child being alive when born.

“I explained,” said witness, “that I was a single woman, and that it should be hard for me to go thro ugh j it. Ho advised me to get financial assistance, and told me to come back later. I saw him about a week later; He advised me to keep in touch with him, and keep on working as long as I could.” Witness did not see him for about three months afterwards, when he asked her what she was going to cA with the child. “I was rather surprised ’’ said witness, “because I was under the impression that the child would not be born qiive.” Air Treadwell considered that that was not admissible. /

The Magistrate agreed. Continuing, the witness related further conversation with the male accused; who . said he knew- a person who would adopt the child. He said it would cost about £SO. That would cover all expenses.Cooper, informed her that be liad a quiet place where she could stay until confinement. A woman at Palmerston North was willing to take the child when it was born. At a later date witness told accused that she was unable to get the money. He said she could go out to his crib and wanted to try to keep up a payment of 15s per week, and he would chance getting the £SO. Witness, in August, met.; the female accused, and went out with her on August 19 to the Cooper home at Newlands near Johnsonville. Witness was told to occupy a nearby cottage, in which there was also another young woman named Lister- AVitness paid 15s regularly, Cooper told her that Welch refused to pay £SO, but was agreeabu to pay . £35 on condition t witness--signed an * agreement r< mg lum (Welch") from any further responsibility. The ohild was born on the morning of October 12.

THE ADOPTION. Witness gave a description of tha child, stating that it was a female. Cooper afterwards attended witness, Airs Cooper attending to the baby. AVitness w:vs in bed for eight days. the child was taken away on October A), Cooper stating that people from Palmerston Nortn, with a doctor anu nurse, had motored down to Wellington for it.' Witness . asked that as the child’s clothes were not. wanted, they should be given to ALss Lister. AAbon tlie child was taken away it was apparently in good health. At various times during the subsequent week witness asked accused about the child, and was told that it was doing fine, though on one occasion tho male accused mentioned that one of his inquiries from the people who had the child revealed that one of the child s legs was slightly stiff, and the people were having it massaged. Cooper informed witness that he; had placed several children in a similar mannei to that in which he placed hers, and always kept in touch with tho people taking the . children. . Witness was treated well by the Coopers. Regarding an objection by the mala accused’s counsel, the Crown Prosecutor stated that he proposed showing that the male accused had been carrying out a scheme of getting rid of children. Accused’s statements about the adoption were a sham. He could not produce the children when asked. Witness proceeded that she told her people in Auckland that she had an operation. She consented to the adoption because she thought she was doing toe best thing possible for the child. Tho male accused informed her that Miss Lister’s child was being also adopted by other people in Palmerston North. AVitness identified her two letters to tho Coopers demanding her child, which, however, had not been forthcoming. The next witness, Aluriel Adams, fainted on entering the witness box. ' Effie Adams said that she knew Cooper and accompanied AlcLeod to Cooper’s office svhere accused examined AlcLeod- Later she met Cdftper and asked after AlcLeod. Witness was told that she was doing all right. AGREEMENT TO PAY.

William AVelch said that he was sent by AlcLeod to make arrangements to have the child adopted. Ho. saw Coopor and came to an arrangement, witness agreeing to pay £35. it was Cooper who told him that the child was bom, Lid that ho had made all arrangements for adoption. Witness did not sign any ad Kxncan P 3dcL«>d, brother of Alargaret AfrVeod said that when ho saw/Cooper toe tetter slid that he felt it his duty to help carls in trouble, and humanity Tt large He said that he could not do it for nothing, but was not doing it for gain After the birth of the child, CVinner said that a man came down in car from Palmerston North and'had taken it away, ?nd that everything was all right- , Ethel Tucker Florence Brown, formerlv employed by Cooper, gave evith once* as to payments made to Cooper, and an 1.0.TJ. signed by McLeod. Cooper had 6aid that the two children had been adopted. Witness thought it was strange. Lilian Lister had also visited the home. Her child was born in AA’ellington, and she had ldeatmea articles of clothing, which had been made for the child. ~ .. . The Government Analyst said • he had examined the body of the child and found no trace of poison. The case will be continued to-morrow.

Last month the hevcH Count* Council received £7460 m ratea. _