A SERIOUS CASE

New Zealand Mail, 5 February 1902, Page 17

A SERIOUS CASE

Special to the “Times.” MASTERTON, January 28. The inquest on the body of a child which was found last week in the furnace of a boiler, and in connection with the death of whiTih Thomas Murcott and Kate Alexander are in custody, was continued in the Magistrate’s Court this afternoon before Mr T. Duncan, J.P., and a jury. Mr A. R. Bunny appeared for the Crown and Mr C. A. Pownall for the persons in custody.

Dr Archer Hosking deposed to having held a post mortem on the body of the child, which, he said, had breathed, but had died from asphyxiation. He could not say what caused asphyxiation. It might have been caused by over-laying, smothering or in course of delivery. Dr Ross gave corroborative evidence. Robert Reed, a butcher boy, deposed to finding the body in the furnace of the boiler at 11 o’clock in the morning, when he went to light the fire. The inquest will not be concluded till a late hour, if concluded at all to-niglit. MASTERTON, January 29.

The Coroner’s inquest on the body of the child found in a furnace boiler was continued to-day. Several,further witnesses were called, but no evidence was given to prove the maternity of the child excepting the evidence of a little girl, who admitted that the skirt which was found wrapped round the body was that of her sister now in custody. Counsel are addressing the jury in the evening. The verdict will not probably be given till a late hour. During the inquiry Mr Pownall asserted that the Rev Robert Wood, Presbyterian minister, had forced himself upon the girl, and endeavoured to extract from her a confession as to her guilt. Mr Pownall described such conduct as most unChristian and unjust. Mr Hollings, who appeared at Court to represent Mr Wood, gave the assertions of counsel an emphatic denial. He stated that he went to the hospital to administer spiritual comfort by request of the girl’s mother. At the suggestion of the Coroner and jury, Mr Wood and counsel proceeded to the hospital this afternoon, and spent three hours inquiring into the matter. The gii’l in custody certified to the accuracy of the statement that Mr Wood had asked her to confess before him and before God. Mr Wood was afterwards called, and absolutely denied having invited her to confess. He said, however, that the girl had made a statement to him which he refused to divulge. He admitted having told the girl that if she told him anything about the affair she would not go wrong.

The jury is to be asked to express an opinion by way of a rider concerning the Rev Mr Wood’s conduct.