Supposed Child Murders

Southland Times, Issue 13217, 15 May 1895, Page 2

Supposed Child Murders

THE INQUESTS OPENED. At the Southland Hospital yesterday afternoon inquests on the two bodies first discovered in the garden of “ The Larches,” near Winton, the residence of Charles and Minnie Dean, were opened, bat the proceedings were only of a formal nature. The first jury called and sworn in by the Coroner (Mr C. E. Rawson) was to inquire into the circumstances connected with the death of Eva Hornsby, aged about one month, consisted of Messrs J. W. Bain (Foreman), N. Johnson, James Lennie, D. Roche, A. McEwan, and A. A. Christophers. —The Coroner stated that they had met to inquire into the death of Eva Hornsby, a little female child. The first duty of the jury would be to view the body and afterwards they would ascertain what evidence, if any, would be laid before them or whether an adjournment would be necessary.—The jury having viewed the body, Mr T. M. Macdonald said he appeared for the Crown and had been asked by Inspector Pardy (who was in attendance) to examine the witnesses. He had to apply for an adjournment for about ten days, the object being to enable the police to have all their evidence prepared. This, he stated, would mean that when the inquiry was actually entered into it would be continued straight through till the end, without further inconvenient adjournments. It was unnecessary, he said, that he should refer to the importance of the investigation and it would be understood that the number of witnesses would necessarily be large. He understood the police would be prepared to go on with all their evidence in about ten days’ time.—lnspector Pardy acquiesced.—After some consideration it was decided to adjourn the inquest till Monday, the 27th inst., at 10.30 a.m., in the Invercargill courthouse.—Mr Hanan was present to watch the proceedings on behalf of ; „ Charles and Minnie Dean.—No objection being offered by the police the Coroner made an order for the burial of the body.

The second inquest was on the, body of the year old child, known by the name of Dorothy Edith. The jury sworn were as follow :—Messrs W. H. Hall (foreman), J. H. Kingsland, J. E. Watson, R. Erskine, Walter Searle, and J. D. McGruer. —After the jury had viewed the body Mr T. M. Macdonald applied for an adjournment on the same grounds as in the previous inquest, and his application was granted, the 28th inst. being the date fixed for resuming the inquiry.—ln this case also an order was made for the interment of the infant’s body.

It is reported in Dunedin that since the discovery of the bodies Mrs Minnie Dean has apparently been developing symptoms of insanity.