Mr R. R. Grigor appeared for accused, who pleaded guilty. Mr Grigor, in making a strong plea for leniency, said that the girl had been cruelly betrayed; her mother was ill at the time, and the girl was afraid of the consequences if she were informed of her condition.
Two days before the birth of the child she discovered that the person who had been the cause of her trouble was a married man.
Owing to physical and mental distress she had committed the act in a moment of madness, her only thought being to get the child out of the way; but she had wrapped it up and left it in a safe place where she knew it would be discovered next morning.
He submitted that a light penalty would be sufficient. Some friends had since taken the girl to their home in the country, and offered to keep her and look after her, where she would be out of the public gaze.
Detective Ward remarked that it was a miracle that the child had survived the 11 hours exposure. His Worship said it would be difficult to conceive a harder case, and no doubt accused had already suffered severely.
Her act did not seem to be one of clever wilfulness, but as if, owing to physical and mental distress, she did not know what she was doing. Accused would be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence at any time when called upon within the next six months.
• A fire originated in the four-roomed dwelling owned and occupied by Mr Edward Campbell, in William Street, Mornington, early yesterday morning, and owing to the absence of fire-fighting appliances the flames soon spread to the 10-roomed dwelling adjoining, belonging to Mrs A. E. Briley, situated in Clark Street, both houses being completely destroyed.
The fire was first noticed by Mrs Campbell about 2 o'clock, when she was awakened by the noise of something falling. Owing to the rapid spread of the flames the occupants had to make a hurried exit, only a few articles of clothing and furniture being saved.
The house adjoining also caught fire, and despite the efforts of a small band of willing helpers nothing could be done to save either dwelling.
A piano, some pictures and a few articles of clothing etc belonging to Mrs Briley were got out of the house. Had there been fire appliances handy the second house might have been saved, but owing to the lack of anything of that description the onlookers were practically powerless to stay the flames, and both dwellings were soon demolished. - ODT, 17.11.1911.
