A CHILD’S DEATH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2240, 11 July 1908, Page 2

A CHILD’S DEATH.

DUE TO SUFFOCATION. AN OVER-CRGAVDED BED. [Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, July 10. The circumstances surrounding tho death of Robert Dlarsden Baines, tho one-vear-old child of Daniel James Dlarsden Baines, .wharf laborer, living at Jleathcote, were investigated this morning by Dir. H. AA r . Bishop, Coroner, and a jury. The first witness was a young woman named Annie • Courtenay, who stated that she was living at Baines’ house to look after his children in tho absence of Dlrs. Baines. On Wednesday night witness, her sister named Maud (aged 17), and Lucy Reilly (aged 18) slept in a. double bed with three children. AA’itness with the deceased- and another child (aged G years) slept at one end of the bed, and Lucy Reilly, the other child, and Maud Courtenay slept at the other end. There were, only two bed 6 in the bouse, and the second wa6 occupied by Baines and three children. Witness did not have the baby in her arms. It lay alongside her. The bed-clothes were .not completely over it, and in' the morning its anus were outside the blankets. Tho mother had been away for a week, but she, ordinarily lived at Heathcote. Tho deceased baby had a bad chest, and used to cough badly. Oil Wednesday. Baines brought homo two bottles of beer. AV ft ness and the other two girls bad two glasses each, but it had no effect on them. They had tho drink early in the evening, and were sober when they went to bed. j

Dr. Irving, who had made a post mortem examination, said that- tho body was that of a well-develoj>ed, healthy male child. He thought that death was due to suffocation. Ho could find no other nossible reason for. death unless the child ha'd had a fit:'' Sleeping wilder -the conditions described would nrobably cause asphyxiation.

Further evidence was heard,. and tho jury returned a verdict that the death of the deceased was caused by accidental suffocation, and added a rider that„.iii ; was overcrowded.-- " ■ '■