CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8072, 13 October 1887, Page 6

CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER.

At the Polico Court yesterday Mary o'Con» nor, the mother of the child found dead in the vacant allotment at the rear of the Thistle Hotel, on the 26th ult., was brought before Mr. Baddeley, Assistant R.M., on a charge that she did feloniously and wilfully kill and slay her infant child on the 24th of September. Mr. W. J. Napier appeared on behalf of the accused, and pleaded not guilty. Sergeant Pratt, who conducted the prosecution, statod that the police were not at present prepared to proceed with the charge, as they bad not had sufficient time since the inquest to collect the necessary evidence. Mr. Napier stated that ho had no objection to an ad* journment, and asked, as the charge had been reduqed from a capital offence to the lesser one of manslaughter, that bail be allowed, as the accused, although sufficiently recovered to have left the Hospital, was still in a weak condition. It was suggested by Mr. Napier, that the prisoner should be detained in the Refuge, bnt Sergeant Pratt stated that in that case the police would not be responsible for her attendance when called upon. After sorno little disoussion, His Worship decided to grant a remand till Wednesday, and to allow bail in prisoner's own bond of £500 and two responsible sureties of £250. The accused, who had betrayed much agitation during the discussion, was at this stage led out of the Court by a friend, evidently quite overcome. As she was unable to find the required bondsmen, she was taken to the gaol in a cab.