CHILD'S BODY FOUND

Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 24

CHILD'S BODY FOUND

FLOATING IN A DAM. Two lads named James O'Reilly and Lang M'Coll (employed on Mr W. Telford's Clifton Station, Waiwera), when going for a bathe in a dam near the homestead on Saturday evening, discovered the body of a fully-developed newly-born female ohild floating face downwards in the water. They immediately informed one of the men employed on the station, and the "police were communicated with. The body, which had evidently been in tho water for a few days, was taken to the Balclutha Police (Station on Sunday, where Dr iStonhouse conducted a post-mortem examination. An inquest was opened on the body at Balclutha on Monday, before Mr H. A. Young, coroner. James O'Reilly (gardener's assistant, employed at Clifton Station, Waiwera South) said that on Saturday evening he was going to have a swim in a dam below the stables near the homestead, and discovered the body of a child floating in the water near the edge. Witness was accompanied by Lang M'Coll. A piece of old towel was tied round the neck of the child, which otherwlso was naked. Lang M'Coll (gardener's assistant, employed at Clifton Station) gave evidence in corroboration of the statement made by tho previous witness. Constable Almond asked that the inquest be adjourned, as certain inquiries were being made into the circumstances surrounding the death of the child. An adjournment was granted until Monday, February 18.