STAFF VINDICATED.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 223, 20 September 1929, Page 5

STAFF VINDICATED.

DEATH OF A WOMAN. MENTAL HOSPITAL CASE. A verdict that death was due to septicaemia was returned by the coroner (Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.) at the inquest yesterday afternoon on the death at the Auckland Mental Hospital of Lily Wall, a member of the hospital staff. Aftei the death of the woman, the body of a newly-born child was found hidden in a suitcase. Medical evidence by three doctors at the Mental Hospital and Dr. W. Gilmour, pathologist at the Auckland Hospital, was definite that from the chart kept during the woman's illness, it could not be suspected that she was suffering from septicaemia. Details of the discovery of the body of the infant were given in evidence taken after the "Star" went to Press yesterday afternoon. The witness, Nurse Blanche Brunskill, said that she came across the suitcase while packing Miss Wall's effects. Miss Wall never complained to witness of receiving insufficient or improper treatment while in the sick bay and she had never indicated that she was pregnant. Witness remembered seeing her with a young man about last Christmas.

A statement that at no time clid she suspect that Miss Wall had given birth to a child or that she was suffering from septicaemia was made by Nurse Ryan, who attended Miss Wall during her illness. Witness also described the finding of the child's body. ' Christine Brosnan, charge cook at the hospital, with whom Miss Wall worked, said that deceased had told her, before last Christmas, that she had quarrelled with a young man with whom she had been keeping company. Witness had never heard her say that she was keeping company with any other man. Similar evidence was given by a mem; ber of the kitchen staff and another nurse.

Detective-Sergeant Kelly stated that on September 3, Miss Wall wrote a letter in which she said she was quite well and hoped to see her mother soon.

"I am satisfied that there was no negligence on the part of the medical staff in not detecting this .girl's condition," sard the coroner in returning his verdict. "As far as I can see, she successfully concealed her condition from everybody, doctors, nurses and members of tiie staff."