A FACTORY GIRL'S RUSE AT TIVERTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9232, 8 December 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

A FACTORY GIRL'S RUSE AT TIVERTON.

Befoke the Tiverton magistrates on October S, Harriet Bliss, a respectably-dressed girl, aged 19 years, and employed at tho lace factory, was charged with concealment of birth. Superintendent Crabb said that whilst the prisoner was working in the factory a short time ago the suspicions of her companions, as well as of the officials were aroused, and she was charged with being enceinte. She denied it, but in order to retain her situation she was required to procure a medical certificate. Thereupon she made overtures to another girl, named Sarah Gibbs, who consented to personate her, and subject herself to medical examination. She was promised 5s by the prisoner for her trouble. Gibbs called upon Mr. C. Liesching, surgeon, from whom she procured the requisite certificate, but made out in the name of Bliss- It was handedin at the factory, and was to some extent considered satisfactory. In time, however, there were indications of the prisoner not being in ordinary health. She was very ill on Saturday week, and the matter was discussed amongst her associates, and came under the notice of the police. On Tuesday morning the prisoner consented to a medical examination, which showed that she had been recently delivered of a child. The body had not been found. Evidence was given bearing out this statement, and the urisoner was remanded,