IGNORANT AND ALONE

NZ Truth, Issue 692, 21 September 1918, Page 2

IGNORANT AND ALONE

♦ A Tragedy oi a Bathroom Facts Revealed by an Auckland Inquest. (From. "Truth's" Auckland Rep.) The -adjourned inquest held on a newly-born female child of a single girl, aged 17, revealed a sad story of a girl's trusts and its betrayal. On the flrst hearing a brother-in-law gave evidence that coming home at night on August 20 he found the girl much distressed m the diningroom, and after interrogation he was told to go to the bathroom, where he found a ? newly-born child. The chief witness on Monday last, when the matter was again before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M;, was a married sister of the girl. This witness deposed that the night before the birth of the child (August 19) her sister, who was employed during the day as a nyrsegirl, came home and complained of a toothache, retiring early, after she had posted a letter. The following morning SHE GOT UP and did some housework, but declined breakfast. The witness then went out for the day, leaving the girl at home washing-up, though she intimated that later she was going to the dentist. It was seven o'clock at night when witness returned home, and was informed by her husband that the girl had given birth to a child m the bathroom. To Actipg-Sub-Inspector McNamara, she said she had not the slightest suspicion of her sister's condition. Her sister was' seventeen m March last.In answer to Mr. A. E. Skeleton, whc watched the young girl's interests, the witness said her sister was a very reserved girl, and never evinced a desire to go out at night. When she; went out it was with witness. ■■''■'■ The girl was then called. She had to be helped to a chair alongside the court table. She said she remembered August 20, when she was left m her sister's house alone. At eleven o'clock .... At this stage counsel rose and said to the Coroner he had instructed his witness not to answer any questions that might incriminate her. The Act-ing-Sub-Inspector was- now drawing evidence from his client that might possibility be used against her. The Coroner: Do you think this the best course to take? Mr. Skelton: .Yes. I have been swayed a good deal m this matter, but. tfrink m her interests this - IS THE BEST COURSE. Acting - Sub. - Inspector McNamara, not pressing the matter, the unfortunate girl was again helped out of court. The /Coroner found the child died from hemorrhage owing to the want of attention at birth, the child having been born when the 'mother was 'a i one m the house, and neither mother nor child received attention for some hours. The failure to make preparation for the birth and care of the child was due to ignorance on the part of the mother, who was 17 years of age, and unmarried. , '■