AN AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8377, 25 July 1905, Page 2

AN AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER

[Peb Pbess Association.] AUCKLAND, July 25. In consequence of the verdict at the coroner's inquest, Francis George Grigg, a bottle gatherer, was charged yestewtay morning with having, on July 13, committed manslaughter/ of his wife, Rebecca Grigg, in that by wilful neglect ho accelerated her death.

Mr S. Mays, on behalf of the Crown solicitor, informed the Court that the primary cause of the woman's death was the breaking down of the lungs by the formation of abscesses. The doctor's evidence went -to show that her life would, not only have been prolonged to a very great extent but there was a fair amount of probability that it might have been saved. In addition to that, there was no cooked or uncooked food in the house which could have been given to the deceased in her then state of health, and above that there was a most indesoribable state of filth, while ordinary bedclothing was absent. It was a, lamentable case, fortunatel^jrare. Accused had given various^ accounts to the neighbours a^s to his wife's state of health. Another story at the inquest, and by the Crown evidence, was that there was almost a suggestion that ac» cused did the thing designedly > so repulsive was the evidence. Evidence for the prosecution waS about to be given by Dr Keith when Mr Skelton said that half a dozen witnesses might be called for the defence in the lower Court. . They were not present, and. he might require an adjournment., At a later stage, Mr Mays suggested that under the circumstances it would be better to adjourn the whole hearing for a week, and the Magistrate eonThe case accordingly was set down for Monday next.