ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER IN AUCKLAND.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8207, 1 August 1905, Page 5

ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER IN AUCKLAND.

Death of a Woman through

Neglect

Shocking Details

Deceased Addicted to Drink

Husband Committed for

Trial.

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

Auckland, Last Night,

The sequel to the death of Mrs Rebecca Grigg, who died in her house in King-street, Archill, a few weeks ago, , occupied atlen. tion in the Magistrate's Court this morning, when her husband, Francis G. Grigg, a rag and bottle collector, was charged with manslaughter. The man was arrested on July 15th in consequence of a verdict by a Coroner's jury, who found "That deceased, Rebecca Grigg, came to her death from abscess of the lungs and that death was accelerated by wilful neglect on the part of the husband, Francis George Grigg."

Prudence Weaver, a widow, said Mrs Grigg was always in delicate health. On the morning of her death deceased's husband asked her to go and assist his wife in her work, and act as companion to her, as she was very poorly. Deceased's hands and feet were stone cold. Witness told her husband to fetch a doctor at once, and he went away to do so. No doctor came. After waiting some hours, she wont for a doctor, and Dr. Keith arrived. He prescribed for the deceased, who took one dose of medicine. She died the same night at about ten o'clock.

Cross-examined : From your experience of sickness and death do you think it possible that deceased could have been up and cooked dinner the day before?—No; she couldn't have done so. She looked to me to be half dead. Did you see any blankets there. —No; Micro were no blankets or sheets, only one rug, which was on a bed, and some coats. Was there any food in the house?—Ves, just one piece of bread and a little rice or barley. What was the state of the deceased's body ?• It was in a very dirty state. Re-examined : You say she was always delicate ?- Yes. What was her trouble ?--I could not say ; she seemed in a decline. Her husband did not ill-treat her ; in Tact, I think he was too lenient, and gave her too much of her own way. They were very poor. Sergeant Hendry said he arrested the accused on July 15th on warrant of the Coroner. On the way to the lock-up the man said : "I am sorry the jury brought in that verdict. T did not neglect her. I did what I could for the poor girl. I did not know she was that bad." He saw deceased's body, which was in an absolutely filthy condition. Cross examined: Deceased had been twice or three times arrested for drunkenness. Dr. Keith said he was called to see deceased on July 13th, and found her dying. He arranged for the husband to have her taken to the hospital, as he could see that she would not survive. Witness held an autopsy by direction of the Coroner, and found that the upper part of one lung had been completely broken down by abscesses. The body was emaciated and dirty, the hair unkempt and full of lice. In his opinion the woman could not have been up and cooking on the day before her death. Cross-examined : You have practised in the slums of London, haven't you ? —Yes. Have you ever seen a worse case than this?—l have seen as bad cases, but never worse. ' Re-examined: Deceased might possibly have suffered from asthma for many years past. If brandy and milk had been given by the husbaud it was reasonable to suppose this treatment had at some time been recommended by a doctor. To the Stipendiary Magistrate: If deceased had been washed, with or without her consent, and properly fed and clothed, that would have prolonged her life, even without medical treatment. The asthma and abscess would, however, cause a certain amount of emaciation in spite of nourishing food.

After further evidence for the prosecution, accused's counsel intimated that he proposed to submit evidence to explain the facts stated by the doctor and other matters, so that the Court should be able, if it thought fit, to save the country the expense of trial in the Supreme Court.

Accused in evidence said his wife was addicted to drink, and had got very careless of herself. She would arrive home late, and not get up till eleven or twelve next day. Some Sundays he would suggest that she should have a bath, and one day he pulled her out of bed, and told her to have a bath, but she dug him in the wrist with a pair of scissors she was cleaning her nails with. She used to always complain of headaches, and on the day of her death he suggested that her hair should be cut off, as he could see a few lice amongst it. He (the witness) used to make from 30s to 35s a week. He used to allow his wife -is a day. On some occasions his wife would stay out all night. The day before her death she cooked a couple of chops for dinner. She took ill on the night before death, and he went and got Mrs Wheeler at his wife's request, and she sent him for a doctor, but as he did not come he obtained Dr. Keith. He asked his wife that night if there was anything he could do for her, and she replied, " No, you have done all you can do." She told him that he ought not to have got a doctor. He had bovril, biscuits, figs, flounders, and plenty of nourishing food in the house. On Wednesday he had given her a boiled flounder. He could not account for the constable only finding a few odds and ends in the house, unless it was that his wile had eaten the food he had mentioned.

Three witnesses stated that Mrs Grigg was addicted to drink.

The Magistrate said he thought there were questions of evidence and issues as to how far the accused had neglected his wife, and he was of opinion that they should be left to a jury. Accused was committed for trial. Bail was allowed.