INQUEST.

Otago Witness, Issue 1970, 22 August 1889, Page 10

INQUEST.

An adjourned inquest on the body of the male child of Margaret Edwards, alias Heads, was held; at the Resident Magistrate's Court on Tueadaymorning before Mr Coroner Carew and a jury of six. Mr Sim appeared to watch the proceedings oni behalf of the mother of the child. Sergeant O'JNeill (recalled) deposed that on the' 3rd inst., at 7.15 p.m., he went to the house of MreKenny in London street aud saw the young person^ about whom he gave evidence ou the previous occasion, and who gave him the name of MargaretEdwards. That morning he went to the Benevolent • Institution and took the person referred to into ■ custody. She was present in court. Her name, he - found, was Margaret Heads. To Mr Sim: He found out about her name in various wajra. He was sure one gave the name of Edwards at Mrs Kenny s house. Mr Sim said Miss Heads was willing to give evidence, and so waa the person with whom she had made arrangements to stay with during her confinement. .Margaret Heads, after having been warned by the coroner not to give evidence unless she wished, said tljat she was a single woman. She went to live with Mrs Kenny a week and a day before the child was. born. The child was bom on August 3, but she had not expected to be confined until the end of August. She had made arrangements with Mrs Robertson to> stay with her during her confinement, and she waa to go to Mrs Robertson's on the Bth of August. Shecould not go before, as it was not convenient for Mrs Hobertson to receive her. The child was born at 7.1& a.,tn. An hour before witness had not expected it. Witness fainted at the time and knew nothing about the matter. The child was quite dead when witnessrecovered from the faint. Witness wrapped her skirts about the child. She had arranged with Mra KpbertEon to stay with her six weeks before the child was born. •Mary Hobertson, residing in George street, stated that she had known the last witness for 18 months. She had told her that she was in trouble about cix oreight weeks ago. Witness agreed to take her in andfind her baby's clothes. She was to come to witness, on August 8. ,The Coroner, in addressing the jury, said they would just have to consider whether the child waa born alive or not. Dr Coughtroy was of opinion, from the result of certain tests he had made, thsfc the child was born alive, but he would not speak positively. If they found that the child was born alive they would have to find as to the cause oil death. Dr Coughtrey said that the symptoms were consistent with death by suffocation. Mrs Kenny's evidence was very damaging, but it was for them to say how far this had been explained away by the mother of the child. If the child was born alive and deliberately smothered their verdict should be one of murder, but if they found that though the child was born alive the mother thought it was dead, and wrapping her skirts around it to conceal it, accidentally smothered it, their verdict should be one of manslaughter. If, on the other hand, they foundi that the child was not alive when bora they should; return a verdict of still-born. ,The jury, after deliberating for 15 minutes, retnrned a verdict to the effect that the child waß stillborn. The girl was subsequently chargedbefore Mr Carew, as resident magistrate, with concealment of birth. Inspector Weldon asked for a remand for eight days, which was granted, the accused being admitted to bail in her own recognisance of £100, and two sureties of £50 each.