INQUEST.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 977, 12 September 1868, Page 2

INQUEST.

On Wednesday last, at 3 p.m., an inquest was held at the Settlers' Hotel (Sullivan's) before T. Hitchings Esq., coroner, and a jury, touching the death of the infant child of one Jane Allman. The following were the jurymen empannelled : — Messrs. Gr. H. Swan, S. C. Caulton, W. Britten, John McFarlane, Thos. Bowes, Alexander Davidson, A Manoy, A. B. Abrahams, R. Brooking, R. Hastie, Gr. Busterfield, H. R. Holder (foreman). The jury having riewed the body, the following evidence was adduced : —

Jane Allman. — I am a single -woman, living in Shakespeare road, Napier. I atn the mother of the child now lying dead ; it was 14 weeks old. The child was delicate, but has thriven, and was in good health up to 6 p.m. yesterday. I left home yesterday between 10 and 11 a.m., with the child. When out, I purchased at two separate times a half-pint of brandy, of each of which I partook. On arriving home, between 5 and 6 p.m., I opened the door and lay on the bed, with the child, just as we were. When out, after having had the brandy, I suckled the child, but not after my return. 1 fell asleep, and awoke between 8 and 9 p.m. The baby felt cold, and I gave an alarm to the neighbours. Mrs. Maher and others came in, struck a light, and said the child was dead. When I awoke, it lay on my arm in the usual position.

Patrick Maher. — I am a shoemaker, residing in Shakespeare road, Napier, and a neighbour of last witness. At a quarter to nine last night I heard a woman scream. It was Jane Allman, who asked for a light, and for me to come with it. On entering her cottage, I saw a child dead in bed ; in my opinion, it had been dead 20 minutes. The child had its usual clothes on and was quite pale. The mother was worse for liquor, and incapable of minding any child. She expressed great sorrow for what had happened. I saw nothing which led to an impression that foul play had been used.

Wjlliam Isaac Spencer, Assistant Surgeon, 2nd battalion 18th Regiment. — I have this day examined the body of the deceased. I found no marks of injury or violence, or anything to indicate that death was occasioned by violent means. On the supposition that the child was suffocated, there would not necessarily be more appearances than I saw to day.

Thomas Edwards. — I keep the Shakespeare Hotel. I know Jane Allman ; she was in my house twice yesterday, on each occasion taking away half a pint of brandy. The last time was about 4 p.m. About 9 p.m., she cilme screaming down the road, and said somebody had killed hex- child.

The jury returned a verdict of v found dead," adding a rider to the effect that they considered the death of the infant was the ' result of gross neglect on the part of the mother, occasioned by excessive drinking.