A DREADFUL CASE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1669, 6 December 1887, Page 1

A DREADFUL CASE.

At the inquest at Dunedin on Saturday, touching the death of the child Violet Powell, the evidence of Maggie Douglas, eleven years of age, was to the effect that she was sent by the mother of the child for some water in a bath, but the water was afterwards put into e deep tin basin. She took the water out of the kettle, and some out of the range boiler, and felt it with both hands, but it did not feel too hot. Mrs Powell asked her if the water was all right, aad she replied that she thought so. The feet of the child, who did not seem to be in a fit, were then put into the water, and the child did not cry, but shook itself. After bathing the child some time Mrs Powell noticed 'ho skin coining off, and she seemed very sorry. A little cold water was then put in and the chi'd bathed again. Dr Maunaell said that when he examined the child the lower part of the abdomen, the buttocks, the lower half of the spine, and the upper parts sf the thighs were scalded, as were also the soles of the feet, and lower part of the calves. The cause of death he would say was extensive scald, ff at the time of death the child was suffering from bowel complaint death would be accelerated by the scalding. Adults accustomed to hot water might keep their bauds in hot water that would scald a child and cause fatal effects. The evidence of the mother was to the effect that as the child appeared to be in a fit she went to put her in a hot bath. She hud trusted to the girl, who said she had put her hand twice through the water. She did not keep the child many seconds in the water, and on finding when site put her to bed a piece of skin had come off, she at once telephoned for the doctor. The evidence of Mary Douglas, stepmother of the girl who brought the water, was to the effect that Mrs Powell had told her that Violet was not her own child, but she hud got £IOO to keep it. The jury, after retirement, announced that their vord'et was that the death of the child was caused by scalds received through the gross carelessness of the mother. The coroner pointed out that this was equivalent to a verdict of manslaughter. The jury said they die not intend to go so far us that, and after further consideration relumed the follow, ing verdictTuat the dea h of tin cl,lid was caused by scalds recciv-d through the carelessnc-ss of the mo!her i r not seeing that the W-tor was at Urn I roper temperature.” Li amwsr to ■< question from the jury, the cmonot snul that he would take lime to consider what should be done.

The case caused a good deal of excitement, as in October Mrs Powell was charged with iiltreating and wounding the child, 't hen she was lined £5 . and bound over.