A DOCTOR CHAEGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 138, 10 August 1881, Page 2

A DOCTOR CHAEGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER.

(per united press association.) An inquest was held at Featherston on Thursday on the body of an infant child of Matthew Cave, of Toronga, near Featherston. The circumstances connected with the death are somewhat peculiar, and are as follow : — On the 22nd July the child was born without showing signs of life. Dr. Michael Hanratty, who attended, ordered hot water to be poured on the child, which was wrapped in flannel. Unfortunately, the infant was scalded, and died five days later, Dr. Hanratty certifying the cause to have been "convulsions." The police heard of the circumstances shortly after the interment of the child, and at once had the body exhumed, when an inquest was held. The jury returned a verdict that death resulted from severe scalding, owing to the use of water which was above a temperature safe for a child of that age. The jury also held that neglect had been shown by others in failing to obtain professional services, or those of some other medical man, for the child at an earlier date. Dr. Hanratty was arrested on a charge of manslaughter.

WELLINGTON, Last Night.

Dr. Michael Hanratty was brought up at Featherston yesterday, charged with the manslaughter of an infant child of Mathew Cave, the particulars of which have been already telegraphed.. The iir*< formation was dismissed, the-Bench being of opinion that the evidence adduced was not sufficient to warrant the committal of the accused. In dismissing the case, the Besident Magistrate expressed an opinion that on receiving a verdict of the Coroner's jury, like the one found in the present instance, the Coroner ought to have taken upon himself the responsibility of sending the accused for trial. He also pointed out that it was still open for the Coroner to do so.