Charge of Manslaughter.

Southland Times, Issue 4897, 25 March 1884, Page 2

Charge of Manslaughter.

A woman named Jane Milderihall died at Wrcys Bush on the 18th inst.} shortly after having given birth to a child. An inquiry into the circumstances, connected with her death was held on Saturday, before J. C. Rowley, Esq., J.P., and a jury, of whom Mr W. Johnston was chosen foreman, Dr Young gave evidence. He was called to see deceased on the 17th mat., and arrived at her residence at 3 a.m. on the 18th inst. . He found that deceased had given birth to a child, which was dead, and was in a state of collapse. There were three other women in the house, one of whom,. Mrs Flett, was the nurse. He told Mrs Flett he would have to examine the deceased. He did so, and found her in a very critical condition, the particulars of which he gave, Mrs Flett said she knew nothing of the affair as she was not present when the child was born. He then asked her if 6he knew the woman was dying, and she replied that such a statement was nonsense, and that she had seen dozens of such cases before. He did not see the child. His opinion was that deceased's death had been caused by improper treatment, although the intentions in adopting it might have been the best. Alfred Mildenhall, husband of deceased, deposed that he was not at home when his wife took ill on the 14th March, but when he got to the house he Bent for Mrs Flett. Sho came a few minutes before 5 p.m. and remained until the deceased died about 6 p.m. on the 18th. The nurse acted on her own responsibility, and witness did not think it necessary to send for a doctor. On Sunday night (the 16th) his wife was very ill. Mrs Flett did not then suggest that he should go for a doctor, but at 1.40 p.m. on the following day she did so, and he went at once Up to that time the nurse had told him everything was all right. The child was born he believed between midnight and one o'clock on Monday morning. He thought the nurse, t© whom he left everything, would send far a doctor if his services were required. Mrs Flett appeared to be sober, till after the birth at anyrata. Mrs Naylor had been sent for by him. The nurse did not tell him that she had a diploma. Sarah Jane Flett, wife of Simon Flett, blacksmith, Nightcaps, deposed that she was a nurse, although she had no diploma or certificate. She was called in to see deceased at 9 p.m. on Friday, the 14th inst. Found her in a state which she (witness) described to the jury. Deceased said she could not afford a doctor, and asked for Mrs Naylor, who had attended her on a previous occasion, when witness replied that no one but a doctor could help her. Deceased asked her not to tell her (deceased's) husband so until Mrs Naylor cane. Mrs Naylor came about 8.30 a.m. on the Monday, and Mildenhall rode away for the doctor about an hour afterwards. After that deceased got worse. On the husband's return they gave up hope of the doctor arriving as he was not at Riverton, and, as deceased was in great pain, witness,, assisted by two women, resorted to measures which she would not have adopted had she known that the doctor was at hand. Witness could not say when the doctor was at hand. She had had sixteen years' experience as a nurse, but never had a diploma. She had told the doctor that no one was present at the birth at the request of deceased, who said ho would charge her if he knew that a woman had been in attendance. Isabella Naylor deposed that she was called to see the deceased on the 17th inst., and arrived at 9.40 a.m., when she found the deceased, who was in a weak state, in th«* charge of Mrs Flett. The nurse said she had a diploma and was an experienced nnrso, and witness thought the assertion true as she had surgical instruments with her. They did what they could for the patient, but she became worse, when witness advised Mrs Flett to send for a doctor. Doctor Young arrived about 3 a.m. on Tuesday morning, about three-quarters of an hour after the child had been born. Mra Flett wanted her to say that the birth had taken place at 4 p.m. on the previous day, giving as her reason that she did not want to go back on her word. Witness had had experience in nursing, but would not have attempted to do what Mrs Flett had done. She did not hear Mrs Flett suggest that a doctor should be sent for, nor did she appear anxious to call in one. Witness believed that Mrs Flett was sober at the time. Minnie Dean gave corroborative evidence. Mrs Flett]said the doctor had been too smart for her, and also that she had walked the Melbourne hospitals for two years. She was not drunk, although witness thought she had been drinking. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased met her death through the recklessness of the nurse. Mrs Flett was immediately arrested, and will be tried at the next, sittings of the Supreme Court on a charge of manslaughter.