A CHILD SCALDED TO DEATH. (BY TELEGRAPH.)

North Otago Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 6515, 5 December 1887, Page 3

A CHILD SCALDED TO DEATH. (BY TELEGRAPH.)

Dttmedin, December 3.

At tbe Inquest to-day touching the death of tbe child Violet Powell, the evidence of Maggie Powell, eleven years of af c, wee to the effect that she was cent by the mother of the child for some water Id a bath, but the water was afterwards put In a deep tin basin. She took water out of a kettle and some out of the range boiler and felt it with both hands, but it did not feel too h>t, Mrs Powell asked h«r if tha water was all right, and she replied that she thought so. The feet of the child, who did not aeem to bo in & At, were then put in the water, and the child did not cry but shook itself. After bathing it some time Mrs Powell noticed the ikin come off, and she seemed very ■orry. A little oold water was put in, and tbe child w?» bathed again.

Dr Miunsell itid when ha examined the child the lower part of the abdoman, bnttookfl, lower half of the spiae. and the upper parts of the thighs were scalded, as also Ihe soles ot tbe feet, and tbe lower part of the calve* The cause of death, he would say, was extensive scalding. If at the time of the scald (he child was mffertog from bowel complaint desth woqld be accelerated by scalding. Adults accustomed to bot water might keep their hands In hot water that would solid a •hild and cause fatal effects.

The evidence of ihe mother was to the effect that as the child appeared to be in a fit she went to put her in hot water. She had trusted to the girl, who had said she had pnt her band twlca through the water. She did not keep tbe child many feconda In the water, and on finding when ■he put her to bed (hat a piece of ekln had cope off she at once telephoned for a docter.

The evidence of Mary Douglas, stepmether of the girl, who brought the water, was to the effect that Mrs Powell had told her that Viol*t was not ber own child, but she bad got LIOO to keep It. The jury, after retirement, annoaaoed that their verdict was that the duath of the child was earned by epalds receive^ through the gross carelessness of the Mother.

The coroner pointed out that this was cquivtltot to a rerdiot of manslaughter. The jury eaid that they did sot intend to go so far, and after further consideration returned the following verdict, " That the death of the child was caused by scalds received through the eireltsmeis of the mother in not seeing that tbe water was at the proper temperature." In answer to a question from the jury, the coroner eaid that he would take time to consider what should be done.

Tbe case bas caused a good deal of excitement, i« m October Mrs Powell was olikrut-el with ill-treating and wounding tbo child, wlum she was fined L 5 and touad ovtr.l