Obituaries Australia

An inquest was held at the local Court-House yesterday, before Mr. B. F. Laurie, S.M., and a respectable Jury, to make enquiry touching the death of Sarah Child, a poor woman aged 61 years, who had been found dead in the morning of the same day. The Jury having viewed the body, Mr. J. F. Bottomley was chosen Foreman. The first witness called was William Child, who gave the following evidence:- I am the husband of the deceased. Yesterday my wife was apparently in good health. She had a better dinner than usual. About 5 o'clock we had our tea, consisting of bread and butter and lettuces. About 7 we went to bed, as it was cold. We usually sit in bed, and read till we feel inclined for sleep. I left off reading about 9 o'clock, and went to sleep, leaving Mrs. Child still reading. I woke up between 10 and 11; after that went to sleep again, leaving her still reading. I was out of bed about 1 or 2 o'clock, and fancied then that Mrs. Child was asleep. Made no disturbance. Had no light. Slept till it was getting dawn. Did not find her stir, so did not disturb her. When I could see to dress I went and did a little work in the yard. Did not go in to wake her till the sun was just rising. Went in, put my hand on her arm, and said, 'Mother, the sun is up' (we wanted to get up early). Found her arm was stiff. Ran across to Mr. Charles Walton's in the first place, who persuaded me to run for the doctor. Dr. Hill came himself.

At this stage of the proceedings Dr. Hill was requested to examine the body and report on the external marks, there being several bruises observed about the eyes and forehead, with discolouration under the throat. Dr. Hill having examined the body was sworn, and deposed as follows:— This morning, at about half-past 6, was called up by the husband of the deceased, who told me, crying, that poor mother was dead. Went to see her. Found her lying on her right side, quite dead and nearly cold; her limbs were stiff. Mrs. Wallace came in, straightened her limbs, and laid her on her back. Made no further examination. I have now made an examination. Find a bruise about the right eye, and an abrasion over the forehead. It appears to have been done about a fortnight or three weeks. The bruise is turning quite yellow. The livid appearance about the neck, I consider to be quite a post mortem appearance. The same appearance is to be met with all over the body—back of the neck and thighs in places; it arises from the blood separating and gravitating. There are no marks of violence. Two or three Jurymen deposed to the fact that deceased had told them that she had had a fall about three weeks since. After consulting a minute or two the Jury were unanimously of opinion that the deceased died from natural causes.