THE BROOKS CASE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7807, 11 September 1903, Page 2

THE BROOKS CASE.

-■ ■■■»■ * ■■> i ALLEGED NEGLECT OF A CHILD. The adjourned hearing of tW charge against Mr and Mwr Brooks, of New Brighton,* of having wilfully neglected a child, bo as to cause it unnece»sary suffering, was continued at the Magistrate's Court this morning, before MrW. R. Haselden, B.M. Sub-Inspector Dwyer appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Donnelly for the defence. Further evidence was given Oft behalf of the defendants. *" Charles Edward Evans naid he had formerly lived in- a\ house adjoining that occupied by Mr and Mrs Brooks, at New Brlgh* ton. H© frequently saw the child, which appeared; to be treated kindly. Bi» mother had occasionally taken charge of the child while Mr and. Mrs Brooks were away. During the lait,{ive month* h,« had visited Mrs Brooki'B house and saw the child, but he observed nothing to shovOhat the child was being badly treated. The canvas of the child's stretcher wajs in good order, and there were no aigns of decay about it. To the Sub-Inspector : Th* canvas wa« in the some condition at the present time as it wa« five months ago. Th« stretcher and canvas were fixtures in the house; To Mr Dwjhelly.; Witne*! ; 'ha4 »eve«ral times seen Mr 3v<>6k* teaching th« child to ■walk. • ' " ' Rosa Miwni© Hu&bwid, the wife of one *f the New Brighton trow guards, t'aid she had been a. ireciuenb visitor to Mrs Brook*'^ hwwa diuring the last three year*, and 1 had been tliere la*t about t<- month aigp. She had seen the ohild on each visit, and to far aa sh« could $«e> it t wa* well treated, and put to bed ait abou* th« tame, time every night- On the last) occasion that witness h.as seen the boy h& appeared 1 to >be in a. healthy phywoal condition, and wa» cleanly and tidily dmsed- He was not cleanly in his habita, andi appeared to be; mentally deficient. She had not noticed any sore* upon the child's body. Jane Mary Wh«eler, wife of ai bricklayer residing in New Briighton, said that voine thwo months! ago J^lrs Brooks, with knowledge of tihe constable, gay« the child into her care, promising payment. Wit* ness kepb the child about a week, aacl then retunied 1 it to the Brooksea, as her husband objected to. it on the eeor© of ita dkty ihaibita. It was very difficult to train, and was less intelligent than other children. It was i>erfectiy healthy and dean, and had mo mark? about it ait the time witnew had the care of it. Wi4n««g detailed a- conversation whiob ha<3 occurred) between herself and-Cojißtable Rowe en th© subject «f Court expenses, and h«f version was in d'ireot contrad'ictiou to th« statement previously inafe by Constable Row© dtoring hi* evidence. • I^lizabeth Fiances Dunkley. wife of Frantsis Duftikley, goid that While she was living at New Brighton- she had been in Broaks'a ibouse n«wly every day, and had b«e.n th,ero baif*n-iozen; tome* since ghe left. Qibout sev«n months ago. So fair as she could see the child 1 was treated the same as the other children. It was not intelligent or quick, and was uncleanly. ; Mary Amme Gaston, professional nurse, residing, in Kibnore Street, said her observation! showed that ifae child Ronald was treated by the Br^pkses exactly a* the other ahildren were. M^ Donnelly here closed !hi« casg aod re» served what further evidence was available. Tlie accused was -then committed for trial at the n«xt sitting of the Supreme Court. With reigaird to the question of bail, Mr HaseWen said 1 he had entertained no fear of the accused' running away, and up till this time he had not asked them to provide sureties. If Mr Donnelly would not take it as am intimation of his opinion on the case lie Would now liberate them <m their own M* cognisances. ~ v - Mr Donnelly agreeing, <his Warship then admitted the accused in their owji recQgnisaiuoes to aippear ait tfeo Supwnie Court for trial. '