A GIRL'S DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 135, 8 June 1911, Page 2

A GIRL'S DEATH.

ANOTHER lIJIEGAL-OPERATION. CORONER'S. INQUIRY HELD. An inquest -was , held thi3 morning by the coroner (Mr. T. Greshara) on the body of Ruth Curhanr, a single girl, 19 years of age, and a , native of Thames, who died early yesterday morning at a •house in Grey-street, at which she had 'been living about five days. The body was identified by deceased's brother, Walter (Durham, Who said, that , his sister was unmarried, and was employed' in a laundry. He last saw her about' two months ago, and he had no idea,, that she was in trouble. Dr. de Clive Lowe, who had conducted' a post-mortem, stated that there were strcfng evidences of recent and very acute septic peritonitis-, especially in the digestive system. The examination- also revealed that an illegal operation had ■tteen performed, very unskilfully; from three to four days- 'before death. The cause of death was septic peritonitis, brought on by an illegal operation, clumsily performed-, without the use of antiseptics. Witness would Hot express an- opinion as to whether the operation was performed by deceased herself or by some other person. Margaret Estall', widow, living at 102,. Grey-street, said that' the deceased came to her house first on Friday, alone, and took a, room for a- week, paying 5/ for it. ' Frdni that time till her death no one had- paid her. a visit. She seemed in good health, and never made any complaint; She was-frequently heard to cough in the night, but it was not till 1 a.m. yesterday that they knew she was ill-, death ensuing shortly after 4 a.m. Gertrude Ms-ud Clifford, daughter of Mrs. Estall, corroborated her mother's evidence. Witness lived at the house in Grey-Street, and met the deceased when she called at the house on Friday. From; then till her death the deceased seemed in good health, exce?/ for a s/ight trouble with her throat. She left the house only once', on Saturday, when she was away from 9 a.m. tiTT noon. The jury-brought in a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, adding that there was nothing to shaw who performed the illegal opetatiaiu