SHOCKING NEGLECT OF A WOMAN.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 320, 18 January 1871, Page 2

SHOCKING NEGLECT OF A WOMAN.

AN inquest was held at the Oxford Hotel, Kins-street, Sydney, on the 10th instant, on the bady of n woman named Mary Barlow. Ih appeared that she died on Monday morning, about 5 o'clock. Robert Barlow, husband of the deceased, is a blacksmith by trade. He deposed that the deceased was his wife ; that she was about thirty-four years of .ige, and a native of England. Was'married in England about sixteen years ago. She was about two or three year 3 younger than him. They had one child, a boy about fifteen, who has not been home for upwards of a week. She has been in the Infirmary two or three times, and has not had good health this five or sis years. Two doctors saw her in Provident Lane. He does not know their names, but one of them asked for 7s. 6d. but did not get it, one of the doctors gave him a prescription. He had it made up^ but she would not take it. About two weeks ago he procured an order for the Infirmary, but does not know who from. Did not leave anybody to attend his wife while he was at work, nor did he ast any of the neighbours to look in, although she was unable to get out of bed, as the dysentery continued all the time. He could not afford to pay for a person to attend her, but used to get her a glass of port wine from a public-house daily as nourishment, aLo some rice and water and barley and milk and water. He had been told not to give her anything besides milk. She was unable to help herself, but still he believed he was doing his duty. The neighbom's may have gone in to see her. Was present when senior constable Pirie came and removed her. At that time she was lying upon a bed on the floor. It was not in a filthy condition. She waa sensible, and some brandy was sent for, which appeared to put her in good tomper. She was in a dying stato then. He thought she was so a week before.

Louisa Padbury, on oath, said that deceased had resided three doors from her. Two or three dys after the Barlows came to reside in the lane she heard groans. She opened the door and found deceased lying on au old filthy mattrass on the floor. She was covered with flies. She was quite exposed * There was no pillow. Upon asking her her name, could only get a reply which she understood to be " Lovev" ; there was some chops, stesik, bread, and rotten pears lying in the filch by her side ; there was some on a shelf also ; brought her some ten, but as her mouth was closed, apparently glued together, she had to give it to her with a teaspoon ; spoke to Barlow, who only abused her for interfering ; upon her offering to wash and clean her, he said, " Oh, sho is right enough," and for me to mind my own business ; a Mrs. Johnson and myself, upon the doctor's arrival, turned tho woman over, and upon doing so found a large quantity of maggots crawling about her body; Barlow told her he would strike her after the doctor left, for interfering ; deceased was unable to feed herself.

Caroline Hancock stated that she took deceased a cup of ton ; that she was in a dreadfully filthy state, so much so that she had to go to the door to sjDeak to her; tuok her some beef tea, which ahetook ravenously, and stated it was the best thing she had hud for some time; 9he had only an under garment on and au old jacket thrown over her; saw no nourishing food at any time by her side, but always found her in the same filthy condition; she stated that she was starving, and that her husband was continually drunk; on Sunday, when I called to see her, she was in a more filthy condition than I had previously seen her, the smell was so bad that she (witness) had to run out; her (deceased) husband was drunk on Saturnay, also on Sunday week. The coroner instructed Dr. Mackay to make a post mortem examination in the meantime.

The man Barlow was taken into custody by the police, and will be prought up again this morning, when it will remain with the coroner's jury whether they discharge him by their verdict, or otherwise there is no doubt he will be committed either for manslaughter or murder.