A PITIABLE CASE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 19 September 1924, Page 5

A PITIABLE CASE

CHILDREN DIE FROM NEGLECT.

MOTHER CHARGED WITH MAN-

SLAUGHTER

BT CABLE—PBKB3 ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHi Received 'Sept. 19, 9.5 a.m. HOBART, Sept. 19. The Qommittqi or a widow, Mrs oh a charge of manslaughter ol her child brought to, light 'startling details. One cnnci, ageu zA- years, nas hi ought to hospital dead and a secona aged six, died. Aeecnalhg to tlie medical evidence at the inquest, the younger child was allegedly lii a terribly neglected condition, stvaimiiig with vermin. Deatn was due u- poisoning resutlmg from neglect ahd 'filth. The Second child’s qeath was due to nephritis. The body was covered with a rash from the bites or vermin, but both children were well nourished. There was no sign of starvation: The mother; who \v.as in receipt of help from a charitable'department; gave evidence that she had seven children; and was too poor to get a doctor. ’> The coroner,; in delivering his verdict, commented: “The whole oommuliity is responsible for these deaths. It reflects- pn .us ah- that such conditions should be allowed to exist. We are our brothers’ keepers, but here are broth-, ers we Have not kept. ’ The law, however, projiibife .that responsibility must bo. borne by a particular individual.” Cable Assn.