MANSLAUGHTER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 274, 16 May 1912, Page 5

MANSLAUGHTER

A CHRISTCHURCH CASE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchureh, Yesterday. The inquest into the death of Helen Goscomb developed sensationally to-day, the woman's husband being charged with manslaughter. The evidence showed that Goscomb and his wife were continually drinking and quarrelling. On Sunday Goscomb hit his wife a severe blow on the chin. The woman's body was subsequently found in an outhouse". The coroner's verdict was that she died from heart failure, induced by a blow inflicted by Frank Goscomb. The latter was then formally charged with manslaughter and remanded. Christchureh, Last Night. In the course of the hearing of the Goscomb ease it came out that Goscomb and his wife had been drinking methylated spirits. Enquiries show that there has been a -marked increase in the consumption of this spirit lately. Chemists say that they have constant demands for it. In many cases where they suspect it is to be drunk they refuse to supply it. One instance was quoted, in which a man bought three bottles regularly on Saturday night, until the chemist was informed that he was a dipsomaniac. The police say that methylated spirit is a particularly maddening form of alcohol, and urge that the sale should he restricted as a poison.