THORNDON SENSATION

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12249, 22 September 1925, Page 6

THORNDON SENSATION

A BAFFLING MYSTERY INQUEST ON INFANT ADJOURNED WHAT CAUSED DEATH? Before Mr W. G. Riddell. S.M., yesterday morning a coroner’s inquiry was held in connection with the body of the infant found which was discovered wrapped up as a parcel in the left luggage department of the Thorndon railway station on Thursday evening, September 17th last. Senior-Detective Cameron appeared for the police. Dr. Philip Patrick Lynch, pathologist at the Wellington Hospital, who made a post-mortem examination of the body, in giving evidence 6tated that the body was that of a male child weighing 71b laz. In describing the condition of the body, Dr. Lynch said: ■*l am of the opinion that this was the Body of a fully developed male child which had breathed, and thnt death occurred within 72 hours of birth. The child had been dead several weeks. In my opinion it is not possible to say definitely whether the head injury was the actual cause of death.” The coroner: Can you state any definite opinion as to the actual cause of death ? Dr Lynch: No. I cannot give anything more definite than that. The coroner: I presume then, the infant die 4 from lack of attenion? Witness: Yes. If the head injury was not the actual cause of death. The coroner: The court has to ascertain the cause of death if possible. Death was due to lack of proper attention after birth P Witness: With proper attention the injury should not nave been the cause of death. Senior-Detective Cameron: CoulJ you form any opinion as to whether the injury might have occurred by accident or bv design P Witness: It would be quite impossible to state which was tile most likely. The coroner at this stage adjourned the inquest for a week, pending further police inquiries.