Baby Born While Mother In Bath

Chronicle (Levin), 11 October 1949, Page 3

Baby Born While Mother In Bath

HASTINGS, Oct. 10. To have given birth to a baby boy while taking a hot bath and to have been unable to get advice of her misadventure to any one for some hours; was the shocking experience of Mrs Sybil Edith Butcher. Before she could get out of the bath the baby was drowned. These faets were revealed by Mrs Butcher 's brother, Silas Rushworth Martyn, a single man, residing with his mother at the Waimarama guest house, when an inquest into the death of the baby was opened this morning and adjourned sine die after evidence of identification. Witness told the District Coroner, Mr Geo. Ebbett, that his sister came to Waimarama from Kaka Point, South Otago, last May. She had five children, the two eldest of whom were at boarding school. The middle child lived with Mrs Butcher 's mother so as to be nearer school. Mrs Butcher was living in the old homestead at Waimarama station with her two youngest children aged 4 and 2-}. Witness knew that another child was expected about the end of this month. Last Wednesday the youngest child fell into a septic tank on the property . and Mrs Butcher jumped in to save her and received a shock. Early Thursday morning she had a recurrence of eardiac pains and took a bath to relieve them. While she was in the bath the baby was born and before she could get out of the bath the baby was drowned.