YOUNG WOMAN DROWNED IN REGENTS CANAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11538, 24 November 1900, Page 2 (Supplement)

YOUNG WOMAN DROWNED IN REGENTS CANAL.

.VERDICT OF MURDER AGAINST TWO • ASSOCIATES. Db. G. Danford Thomas, coroner, held an inquest at St. Pancras lately on the body, of Gertrude Helena Dick, 18, spinster, domestic servant, who met her death by drowning in the Regent's Canal, near Oval Road Bridge. _ Martha Adamson, 31, and Louisa Belton, 25, a single woman, described as of no abode, are under remand from Marylebone Police Court, charged on suspicion with being concerned in the wilful murder of deceased, each accusing the other of having pushed Dick into the water. Both prisoners were present at the inquiry, in the custody of a wardress from Holloway Prison. Thomas Simons, watchman in the employ of Messrs. Thomas and Thomas, building contractors, deposed that his employers were doing work at Regent's Canal, near Oval Road Bridge, an iron structure. At eleven o'clock at night he heard three women on the bridge using bad language. He ordered them away. Then they walked along the towing-path. Presently witness heard one of the women say, "You —, I will do for you." A splash in the water, and a cry of "Oh!" followed. Witness hurried to the »pot. Two of the women had disappeared. There were bubbles on the surface of the water. He raised an alarm, drags were procured, and after a while the body of deceased, was recovered. Life was extinct. Police-Constable J. Desborongh said that at six the following morning he saw the two accused women in Albert Road, and asked them whether then friend was not with them on the towing-path the previous night Belton said.. "Yes; we had a row and" we left her there." He informed them that they would have to accompany him to the police station, as the inspector wanted further particulars. They replied, " All right. Detective-Inspector Freeman deposed that after both women were charged they at first asserted that Dick jumped into the water, Belton adding that she wanted to return when she heard her scream. Both admitted having had " a lot of drink," and that they 'had words." Afterwards Belton said, 'Speak the truth. Martha; it was you. You struck her. and pushed her in. I will suffer for it, When I wanted to go back to see her in the water, what did you do.' You stopped me. I have a witness. There is a man in it." When before the magistrate, Adamson said to Belton: " You pushed her in." The latter replied. "You hit ber first." Witness added that all the women were unfortunates of a low class. The deceased was said to have been of a quarrelsome disoosition. Martha Adamson, after being duly cautioned, chose to give evidence. She was a charwoman. She knew Belton slightly, and deceased as "Gertie." They all three had drinks near Primrose Hill, and subsequently when they were close to the canal deceased accused Belton of "going with her cbap." The two quarrelled. Witness heard a scream, then a splash, and a cry, " 0, Louie, you have done for me." Louie then wanted to run away, but witness pulled her back. Afterwards "they went away. It was true that Louie pushed deceased into the canal. Belton said, " I'll do for you. I have had it in store for you some time." When they were beside the water she said to Dick, " In you go," and pushed her in. Dick cried, " Oh ! You have done for me." Belton, asked whether she wished to question Adamson, said, "You pushed her in, Martha." Adamson: Don't say such things. You know you did it. Louisa Josephine Belton, who also elected to give evidence, said she was an unfortunate. They all were unfortunates; they regularly associated. She had known deceased three months. They had no fixed abode. They all went down the towing-path, where Adamson and Gertie quarrelled. Witness told them to keep quiet. Deceased was about to strike witness when Adamson said, "You won't hit her," and then pushed her into the canal.

The jury, after a brief deliberation in private, returned a verdict of " Wilful murder" against both women, who were then formally committed to take their trial at the Old Bailey.