INQUEST AT KAIAPOI.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2249, 13 May 1881, Page 3

INQUEST AT KAIAPOI.

An inquest touching the death of a female child, name unknown, was held at the Pier Hotel on Thursday before O. Dudley, Esq., coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr E. Revell was foreman.

The coroner stated that finding that Dr. Oyenden had refused to give a certificate of death in the ease of a child which had died while in the care of Mrs Pilcher as nurse, because its name and paternity oonld not ho ascertained, he had issued hie precept for this enquiry. It appeared that the baby was one put out to nurse, and that Mrs Pilcher did not know anything more about it than she was paid regular wages. The matter might result in a concealment of birth, or the ohUd might have been put away because of property coming to it, and it was desirable, in furtherance of the ends of justice, that the inquest should he held. Mrs Pilcher deposed she received the child from a lady to be nursed, and took every .care of it. She was paid 15s per week regularly, and gave it every attention. Had called in the doctor, who paid several visits. The father and mother of the infant were not known to her. Her charges had been paid by a solicitor in Christchurch on behalf of the parents. Dr. Ovenden stated the child had a delicate constitution, and died from consumption of the bowels by natural causes. Last witness, who oared well for it, could not give him the name of the infant, nor could he get it from the solicitor. In consequence of this he refused to give the certificate. He then communicated the facts to Sergeant Gilbert, and also to the Coroner.

Dr. Ovenden explained that he could not give the certificate, and as sanitary officer, could not allow it to remain unburied.

The Coroner—You acted rightly. It could not be buried without a certificate, and I could not register the death. I might have given a certificate without a name, but under the circumstances could not have done so. Dr. Ovenden's examination continued—The child was well cared for by Mrs Pilcher. It was always clean and well clad, and had plenty of good food. Mrs Dayman also attended very well to it. By Police —Never had any communication with Mr Thompson. By Coroner —I never arranged with any one with regard to my fees for medical attendance. The Coroner—Whom did you look to then ? Dr. Ovenden—To Providence, sir, I suppose. Examination continued—The child died from natural causes. Dr. Ovenden —If they had sent me a name there would have been no further trouble, and an end of the matter. Examination continued—Could not say if the child hod been breast fed or bottle fed. It was brought up here by hand. Being brought up by hand would not cause death. The disease was constitutional. Sergeant Gilbert said this was all the evidence touching the death he could call. The Coroner —It will be necessary to have Mr Thompson hero and Mrs Brough, say this day week. Mr Pinching—Will it be necessary to adjourn to ascertain some cause of death. Ido not think so. The Coroner —We do not know the name. Mr Pinching—ls it necessary, sir, to have the name ? The Coroner—The matter must be followed out to osesrtain if there are any suspicious circumstances, concealment of birth, and so on.

Th» Foreman—Wo have got evidence of the death, namely, that it died from natural causes, any further proceedings would have to be taken to the Magistrate’s Court. We ought to give our verdict now. The Coroner—l am not alone in the matter, it is one of those oases which should be investigated.

Mr Pinching—l think all wo have to do with ’s the cause of death. The Coroner—Cause of death and the other matters relating to the same which the jury is charged to enquire into. We can bring in a verdict as to death, but not the other matters. The child may be a smuggled one, or stolen for aught we know. Mr H. Anderson was in favor of leaving the matter in the hands of the police. Mr Revoll—And let them make a charge. The Coroner—But this Court makes the charge. If it is an illegitimate child, we want to know who is the mother—the father has no existence in law in such cases. Mr Anderson—Could the doctor tell us whether it was a legitimate or an illegitimate child ? [Daughter.J Dr, Ovenden—That is beyond my skill. The Coroner—lt is no interest to me to attend an adjournment, as I should not get paid for it; but it is requisite that this case should be cleared up. Mr Pinching—Then do we adjourn ? The Coroner—Yes. Ho then gave the usual warning for the jury to attend on Thursday next.