CHARGE OF CHILD MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13523, 22 August 1907, Page 6

CHARGE OF CHILD MURDER.

SYDNEY NURSE ON TRIAL.

An" elderly woman named Blanche Ellen Wither, described-as a nurse, was charged at. the Paddingtou Police Court (.Sydney), on the 12th inst., with .feloniously slaying the. newborn, child of Annie Stewart.. There were also two charges., against accused of illegally using an instrument.' According to the. police evidence, when taxed with the offence, she replied, "I am too fond of children to do anything to the dear things. Everybody knows that a quantity of. small bones was found among the ashes in the garden."

Evelyn Ashley, aged 18, engaged by accused as housemaid, said she saw a newlyborn child, which was crying. Accused went up the yard, and witness told her that the child was crying out. Accused said, "Go and put some cold water on it." Witness poured about half-a-cup of cold water over it. The child, did nob stop crying, and witness again drew accused's attention to the fact. Later on accused told witness to .ask the groom to light a fire in the kitchen,. which . was seldom. \ . used. Shortly afterwards witness saw accused coming from the direction of the room occupied "by Annie Stewart,, carrying a small newspaper parcel. When witness went to Annie Stewart's room with her lunch the infant was not there.

Accused reserved her defence, and was committed for trial. Bail was refused. She was also committed for trial on two charges of illegally using" instruments'.