POLICE DIG UP INFANTS' BODIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 151, 27 June 1936, Page 10

POLICE DIG UP INFANTS' BODIES.

SENSATIONAL FIND. SEARCH AT HASTINGS. MARRIED WOMAN ARRESTED. USE OF INSTRUMENT ALLEGED. (Special to " Star.") NAPIER, this day. Sensational developments are expected from extensive digging operations undertaken by the police yesterday and this morning on a section in Hastings. It is understood that the police have unearthed a large number of bodies of infants prematurely born, one of which was the subject of an inquest at Hastings this morning. In the meantime, a woman, Isabella Annie Aves, alias Craike, aged 49, of 307, Fitzroy Avenue, Hastings, is in custody and has been charged with the unlawful use of an instrument. Large Police Party. Police investigations began late on Thursday afternoon, when Detective B. Farquharson and Constable Craigie, of Hastings, .took charge of the property and remained oil the spot all_ night. Yesterday morning they were joined by a party of six detectives and constables, as well as Inspector Fitzpatrick. of Napier, and Dr. P. P. Lynch, pathologist to the Wellington Hospital. A Hastings photographer was also present. After a number of of the ground from various •»gles had been taken, the police began to dig the area over. Several deep excavations were made, and the results were recorded by the camera. • n Throughout yesterday, last night' ana again this morning the section was under a strict police guard. Evidence at Inquest. To-day the police had, completed their investigations in the meantime, at least on the property itself, and were in a position to launch formal proceedings. When the inquest on the. body of one infant found on tlio section was opened before Mr. George Ebbett,' district coroner, evidence was given by Dr. Lvnch, Who said he was present when the body of :the infant was uncovered in the ground at the premises occupied by Mrs. Isabella Annie Aves, at 307, Fitzroy Avenue, Hastings. Witness later made a post-mortem examination of the body. It was that of a female i-if ant, 18 inches in length, weighing 41b Ooz. "Child Had Breathed." Internal examination had shown that the lungs, were air-filled and floated readily in water. Witness said the child had breathed, and was premature. He was not able to form any opinion as to the cause of death. There were no marks of violence on the body. The inquiry was adjourned sine die, pending further police'investigations. When Mrs. Aves appeared before the Court at Hastings yesterday afternoon, -he was charged with unlawfully using ii instrument on a woman (whose name was ordered to be suppressed). On the application ofylje police, sha was remanded' to July 3. Bail was refused on opposition by -the police.