THE OTAKI CHILD-BEATING CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12045, 15 August 1902, Page 5

THE OTAKI CHILD-BEATING CASE.

TRIAL OF THE MOTHER,

THE MEDICAL EVIDENCE.

• [BY TELEGRAPH.—I'RESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Thursday. Tire trial of Harriet Drake,. on a oharge of manslaughter of her eight-year-old daughter, was continued to-day, bub not concluded when the Court adjourned for the day.. - i

Dr. Power, of Otaki, who was called to attend deceased, said the child nad Deen dead about an hour when he reached the house. He examined the body by candlelight, and found it very much discoloured. There were bruises ; everywhere except on the face and neck. ? There were dark bruises on the chest, and three groups : of cuts across the abdomen, making about 15 marks altogether. The skin was broken, showing blood, and* the marks looked as if they had been caused by the lash of a whip. *> He found a depression on the right sSfta of the skull just above the ear. Bruises were so numerous and coalesced that pieces of unbruised skin as wide as a shilling could not be found. Prisoner was present when witness made the first examination of the body. She remarked : " How frightful. I gave her a severe thrashing." The post-mortem showed j later that all deceased's organs were healthy, and did not reveal any cause of death. Witness thought death . resulted from shock caused by punishment, or from concussion of the brain. \ s

Dr. Clay gave corroborative evidence. The hearing of the case will be con tinued to-morrow.