CORONER'S COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 244, 24 March 1915, Page 4

CORONER'S COURT.

INQUEST ON INFANT'S BOD?,

A CHARGE OF MURDER.

An inquest was held at the Court yes- ' terday afternoon on the body of a child found on the foreshore on Mho- ' day. The coroner (Mr A. Crookc), pre- ~ sided, over the proceedings.. Tie' first witness was Mary C. Kirk- , < Patrick, wife of. John Kirkpatrick, of • ' New Plymouth. On Monday she was ' with her husband on the foreshore at the foot of Dawson street at 3.30. She ". saw a pillow-slip, t was on the rocka below high watermark. She looked into ', the bag and'saw the body of an infant. ' Apparently there .was something cls.e,ia, it, hut she did not look to see what, it was. She told her husband of lifer discovery, and placed the bag and its contents higher up on the beach. She then , sent her, husband to communicate with the police,* and Sergeant Bowden. airiv- '. cd and took away the bag and its con- '. tents.

Sub-Inspector Fouhy then applied for. an adjournment in order to allow the, police to procure"further evidence. Thecoroner granted the adjournment sine. die..

At the Magistrate's Court subsequently, Florence Lavinia Walls was then,. charged with the murder of her newly- * born male child at New Plymouth on or< about March 18th.

The mother of the accused asked forbail:-

The Sub-Inspector said he had offer- v ' ed to send the accused to the hospital, immediately upon her arrest, but shahad refused to go. Bail was allowed accused in the sum " of £SO; and one surety of "£SO.

The Sub-Inspector asked that it "be made a condition that Walls reside with her mother.- . ■

The case was then adjourned' until. Monday next at 11.30;.