CHARGE OF INFANTICIDE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4345, 28 March 1882, Page 3

CHARGE OF INFANTICIDE.

At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before K. Beetham, Esq., 8.M., Eliza Harris, on remand, web charged with infanticide.

Mr Stringer appeared for the accused, and Sergeant Mason conducted the prosecution. James Millar, a labourer, residing at Prebbleton, remembered finding the body of a child on Nor. 12 last, in the Eiver Avon, while he was out boating with some friends. It was about two yards from the north-west bank of the river in the Park opposite the Biccarton Hotel. The body was wrapped in an old drees. The parcel containing the bndy was held below the water's surface by stones. Witness opened the paroel and saw the head and shoulders of the child. He gave information to the police, and Detective Thomas Neil came and took charge of the body.

Senior Detective T. Neil deposed to taking possession of the parcel containing the body on Nov. 12 last. It was sewn up with care in a woman's skirt (part of which was produced.) 'Xhe body was removed to the morgue, whee witnesa found the stones produced in the parcel. Dr Symes deposed to performing the post mortem examination. The body was much dec»mpo<ed, but there were no marks of violence. It was that of a female obild, well nourished, and a fow weokß old, not move than one or two months probably. Thought the body had been from one to three weeks in the water. The lungs were expanded and the child had lived. Could not say whether the child was alive when pat into the water on account of the decomposed state of the body.

Elizabeth Elliscn, the wife of John Ellison, deposed that she kept a boarding-house on the South Bolt. Prisoner had come to lodge at her place nearly eight, months ago. She said her name was Mrs Nelson, the wife of Fred. Nelson. This man brought her boxes to witness' house. After prisoner had been in witness' house five or six weeks sho was confined and had a female child. Dr Patrick attended her. Prisoner stopped with witness two or three weeks after her confinement. The child was well and healthy. When prisoner left witness' place she said she was going to Lincoln to some friends and took the child with her. In a week or so sho returned to witness' place, and she had not the child with her. In answer to witness, prisoner said she h»d left the baby at Lincoln with her friends. She only remained to lunch, and again left, but came back in a weok or two. Prisoner then repeated to witness tho statement sho had previously made about the baby being at Lincoln. Sho remained with witness for threo weeks but never spoke of the child. Witness yiaited Linoolu on one occasion, and then prisoner had told her that the child was at a house two miles from Lincoln Btatioc.

Other evidence having been given, Mr Stringer addressed the Bench oontending that there was no proof of a crime having been committed, as the prosecution had not proved identity between the child's body found in the river, and the child which was born to prisoner. His Worship considered that there was no possible doubt that the case must go to a jury, and the prisoner (who had nothiug to say) was committed for trial at the approaching •riminal sessions of the Supremo Court.