CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 118, 16 May 1912, Page 5

CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER.

METHYLATED SPIRIT HABIT. MADDENING FORM OF ALCOHOL. - [press association.] CHRISTCHURCHj May 15. The inquest into the death of Helen Goscomb developed sensationally toclay, . tha woman's husband being charged with manslaughter. The evidence, showed that ■ Goscomb and his wife were continually drinking and quarrelling and on'^Sunday at mid-day Goscomb hit his wife a' severe blow on the* chin:'^ The Roman's body was siibsequeirtly\, found in an outhouse. - ';, ' \ The Coroner returned' a T verdict that the woman died'Vyf'Mai-t-failure:,; induced by the : blow*' inflicted 'by 3?rank Goscomb. '''.''"' . The latter was then formally charg-; ed with mansiaughter and remanded till May 23rd- : ■ " .' In the course of the hearing it came out that Goscomb and his wife had been drinking methylated 'spirits. Inquiries show that there: has. been a -marked increase in the consuirnption of this spirit lately. ''Chetnists say that they have constant demands for it, and in many cases where they suspect that it is for drinking they refuse to. supply it. One. insta nee was qnoted in which a liiaii; bought, three bottles regularly every,' 'Saturday night, u,iitil the chemist informed that he was a dipsomaniac;'- V' ' s The police? say that methylated spirit is a particularly maddening form of alcohol, and they urge that the sale shoi'.ld be as restricted as poison.