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The Dominion
November 1, 2000.
Row delays publication of creche-case 'blockbuster'
By David McLoughlin
A long-expected book promising revelations about the Christchurch Civic
Creche child abuse case has been delayed again because of a dispute between
author Lynley Hood and publisher Canterbury University Press.
Hood has apparently objected to the publisher's seeking cuts to the book, A
City Possessed, and has asked to be freed from her contract so that it can be
published elsewhere.
She has been working on the book since 1995 after getting a $9000 Arts
Council grant. Canterbury University
Press has heralded it as a "blockbuster" but its publication date
has kept slipping.
In 1993, crèche worker Peter Ellis was convicted of 16 counts of abusing
children in his care after a trial that divided Christchurch people into
those that believed the abuse happened and those that believed the
allegations were the result of parental hysteria and flawed police
investigations. Ellis has always
maintained his innocence. He was freed
from jail last February after serving two-thirds of a 10-year sentence.
Hood's books include Minnie Dean about the only woman hanged for murder in
New Zealand. She said yesterday that
the crèche book would still be published, but by another company and not this
year.
Canterbury University Press managing editor Mike Bradstock said negotiations
were being held with Hood, "who wants to be released from the
contracts".
Ellis supporter Winston Wealleans of Christchurch said yesterday that he
feared the publishers had been "nobbled" by the lobby that
supported the abuse claims. But Mr
Bradstock said that was rubbish. "My position vis-à-vis what I believe
about the Ellis case has not changed one iota."
It is understood Hood delivered a manuscript much longer than her contract
stated and would not agree to its being cut.
Former chief justice Sir Thomas Eichelbaum is conducting a narrow inquiry
into aspects of how creche children were interviewed by police. His report is expected next August.
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