A BABY'S DEATH.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 149, 20 December 1907, Page 2

A BABY'S DEATH.

INQUEST AT AUCKLAND. [bt txleghaph.— vkess association.) AUCKLAND, 19th December. At the inquest on the body of the headless child recently found on the beach at Ponsonb?/, medical evidence was to the effect that the head and both hands were missing, and had evidently been gnawed off by fish. There was no other sign of violence. The child had been properly attended at birth, and had lived four to seven days. The coroner, Mr. Gresham, refused to accept the evidence of a second post mortem ordered by the police, because he had not been consulted, but a medical witness stated there was no evidence of poison in the stomach. Constable Dnnn, who removed the body to the morgue, stated that there were no bloodstains on the clothing. Dr. Sharman, who saw the body, considered that the child had reached the ago of nine or ten days. Nurse Grase gave evidence as to a female child being born in her home on 11th November. The mother and child remained at the home twelve days. The child was in the best of health, but the mother seemed indifferent as to its welfare. Tho woman was strange and reserved in mani>er all the time she was at the house, and two days before she left her behaviour was such that witness sent a message to tho police. The woman expressed the intention of putting the baby out to be nu\sed. Witness, on being shown various artioles of clothing found on the body, said they were similar to those in use for the child whilst in the home, but she did not absolutely identify any article. The mother of the child named it Markm Farndale, saying this was the wish of her husband. Florence Reed, a young dressmaker, said that she resided with a Mrs. Farndalo, and on the evening of Monday (25th November) the latter left her lodg- , ings in Symonds-street, carrying what witness took to bo a child. Mrs. Farndale had with her a shawl, which was similar to the one produced, and witness never saw tho child again, but when she asked Mrs. Farndale how,-itr was she was informed to the effect, that it was getting on well. In reply to Mr. Singer, witness said that Mrs. Farndale had refused to 'allow her six-year-old daughter to nurse . the infant, as she might drop it and hurt it. The inquest was adjourned till tomorrow. POLICE AND COEONER. fßr Telegraph.— Special to The Post.l AUCKLAND, This Day. Something In the uature of a "brush" between the coroner and the police occurred yesterday at tho inquest on the body of (he headless infant recently found on the Ponsonby beach. Dr. Ferguson, who had made a post-mortem examination by the direction of the coroner, had given' the particulars of this examination, and he then went on to refer to a second examination, which he said was mado 'two days later by direction of Detectivo M'llveney, who was conducting the enquiry on behalf of the police. The coroner (Mi-. Gresham) interposed by saying : I ordered no second examination. Why was not I communicated with? Witness : I understand this, was by order of the Inspector of Police. Tho coroner : This is a coroner's inquest, and if a second examination was required, I should have been communicated with. Detective M'llveney : I carried out instructions of my superior officer. Tho coroner : While tho matter is in the hands of tho coroner, no second examination should be made without his instructions. The police cojild easily have applied to me, and I should then have ordered a second examination. Detectivo M'llveney said that die second examination was necessary for the purpose of ascertaining whether there' was an evidence of poisoning. The coroner said that he should have been consulted- on the matter, and ho would not have refused a second examination. "I do not propose," he said, "to take any evidence of the second postmortem examination, as it was without my authority or knowledge." A juror : I don't think the jury can tako notice of what happened at the second post-mortem. Tho coroner : I bog them not to do so. Detective M'llveney : As a matter of fact, no sign of poison was found. The coroner .- I bag the jury to tales no notice of anything said about tho second examination of tho body. Mr. J. A. Pond, Government Analyst, who had boen in attendance here, asked : "May I leave, Mr. Coroner, although I have your instructions to be present?" Tho coroner : If you are here in connection with tho second post-mortem, then I don't want yon. The summons for you to attend is one of a batch I gavo the police to call witnesses, and which I assumed would be used in a proper manner. _ Mi-. Pond then withdrew, and the incident closed.

Permission has been granted by tha City Counril to Woolston Brass Band to uso tho Basin Reserve 911 24th February, and to take up a. collection. Tho weekly session of the Star of VTrllinnton Lodije of Good Templars wn» held last evening in RichaTds's Hall, Cuba-street. Bro. W. H. Inpram, P.O. TomplsiT, provided. The members of the Tnnplars' Cricket Club wore received officially. Bio. W. Johnson, one of the viee-prosidents, taking the chair. The follotiinjr contributed to an rnjoyahlo proyvawmo :— - Bios. Dooloy, Lambert. Cmswoll, Allan, Precise. Cameron, LlihWenl, Pi ice, S Crt^swell, Sharp, nnd Helm, fiistei Kyan. of the Kinc's Coronation Lodjie. acted aa ncconmankt,