SORDID CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 97, 27 April 1938, Page 9

SORDID CASE.

DEATH OF WOMAN. BRUISES ON HER BODY. EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. (Prom Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, April 21. During the past week the Parramatta district coroner has been inquiring into the death of Ellen Barrow (45), who died at Newington Hospital on April 5. Dr. Brooks, who is superintendent of the hospital, stated that the woman died from cerebral hemorrhage caused by a blow on the head, but he added that there were so many bruises on the body that many acts of violence must have taken place. The bruises seemed to have been caused by heavy puncl - s with a clenched fist, and the injury to the brai» might have been due to a kick. But the doctor admitted that in regard to the haemorrhage it might be difficult to distinguish between violence and alcoholism as the original cause of death, and the woman when admitted to the hospital smelt strongly of drinkSeaman Charged. This remark was carefully noted by John Belham (41), a seaman who was present at the inquest in custody on a charge of murder. Not being represented by counsel, Le sat at the bar table, took notes, crossexamined witnesses and generally looked after his own interests in the matter. One of the witnesses called was evi dently anxious to say what could '.a; said on Benham's behalf. She grave her name as Advida Camilla T ~>hani*a Martyn Foster, but it was some relief to the reporter's to learn that this imposing appellation was, in her residential locality usually contracted into the more convenient nickname of "Nunky.''

Head Badly Cut. Describing herself as a "commercial artist," she tried to throw at least some of the responsibility for the dead woman's injuries on a man named Palmer, who was stated to have lived with Ellen Barrow, and whom she charged with knocking the woman down with a garbage tin so that her head was badly cut. But the value of - this allegation was to some extent discountered by "Nunky'a" admission that she did not see very distinctly, as she had to use a strong monocle, and also by her confession that she had lived with Benham, that she was still fond of him, and that she was anxious to help him. However, the weakness of the testimony offered on behalf of Benham did not do much to benefit Palmer. * This man, described as "boilermaker, of East Sydney," told the coroner that he and Ellen Barrow had been living together as man and wife for the past five years in the house in which Benham and "Nunky" had also resided. One day in March, according to Palmer, an argument arose as to who was renting the house, and he alleged that Benham punched Mrs. Barrow in the face and on the body and twisted her arms. The woman was struggling on the sofa calling for help, but - when the sergeant in charge asked Palmer if he had interfered, his reply was: "No, I was frightened. I would have got the same myself." About a week later—still according to Palmer—another quarrel started about food and Benham—so Palmer asserted— again attacked Mrs. Barrow; again she called for help—and again the same colloquy ensued. "Did you go to her aid ? asked the sergeant. "No," replied Palmer. 'I was frightened; Benham told me to get out, so I left." It seems that Benham had been a professional boxer in England, and his pugilistic reputation and his obvious brutality was too much for the miser -

able Palmer. The nurse who attended Ellen Barrow at the hospital testified that Palmer had told her the day after the woman's admission that Benham had "beaten her up," and the woman herself made the same statement to the police. The Highlight. Palmer told the nurse that Benham had thrashed him, too, and that he was too much afraid to go back to the house again, but slept three nights in the Domain. The coroner evidently thought that a prima facie case had been made out against Benham, who was committed for trial. But the "highlight" of the inquest was certainly the evidence of Palmer, who, by his own words, stood convicted of the most despicable cowardice.