DEATH OF AN INFANT. AN AUCKLAND INQUEST.

Star (Christchurch), 20 December 1907, Page 1

DEATH OF AN INFANT. AN AUCKLAND INQUEST.

[Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, December 19. At the inquest on the bcdy of the headless child, recently found on the beach at Ponspnby medical evidence was to the effect that tho head ami both hands were missing, and had evidently been gnawed off by fish. There was no other . sign of violence. The; child had been properly attended at birth, and had lived from four to seven days. Its age might be from twe monthf to tw.o . weeks. ; The Coroner, Mr Gresham, refusec to accept the evidence of a seeoiK autopsy ordered by the police, because he' had not been consulted, but a medical witness stated that there lva* no evidence of poison in the stomach. Constable Dunn, who removed the body to the morgue, stated that there were no blood stains on the clothing. Dr Sharman, who saw the body, said he considered that the child bad reached the age of nine or ten days. Nurse Grace gave evidence as to a female child being born in her home on November 11. The mother and child remained at the # home twelve days. The child was in the beet of health, but the mother seemed indifferent as to its welfare. The woman was strange and reserved in manner all the 'time she was at the house, and two days before she left her behaviour was such that witness sent a message to the police. The woman expressed an intention of putting the baby out to be nursed. Witness on being shown various articles of clothing fovind on the body, said they were similar to those in use for the child whilst in the home, but she did not absolutely identify any articles. The mother of the child named, it Marion Farndale, saying this was the wish of her husband. Florence Reed, a young dressmaker, said that she resided with a Mrs Farndale, and on the evening of Monday (November 25) the latter left her lodgings in Symonds Street, carrying what witness took to be a child. Mrs Farndale bad with her a shawl, which was similar to the one produced, and witness never saw the child again, but when she asked Mrs Farndale how it was she was informed to the effect that it was getting on. well. In reply to Mr' Singer, witness said that Mrs Farndale had refused to allow her 6ix-year-old daughter to nurse the infant, as she might drop it and hurt it. , / The inquest was adjourned till tomorrow.