INQUEST.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8817, 12 June 1894, Page 6

INQUEST.

An : inquest was opened at the Christchurc'a Hospital on Friday last touching the death of a girl named Ellen Kennelly, who diet?, at that Institution. Mr R. Beetham, Coroner,, presided, and Mr W. J. White '"Was chosen foreman of the jury. SergeantsSajor Mason conducted the inquiry, and from the evidence it appeared thac the deceased was a niece of John O'Carroll, of Hawarden, with whom she had resided JBince her arrival from Home about November last. She had always seemed healthy, but was- somewhat delicate. She was taken ill about three weeks ago and Dr JTitzHenry prescribed for her. From May 31st to June the deceased was part of the time Sn bed. Oα the last named date Mr CJ'Carroll brought her to the Chriatchurch Hospital, but not having been lecomaiended by a medical man she "was not admitted till next day. Evidence was given to show that the girl was well treated ab Mr O'Carroll's. She hid, howcomplained of being ill and hatd worked before she came out to the colony. Dr. Murray-Aynsley, the House Surgeon at the Hospital, stated that the deceased when brought to the Hospital was in the last adage of tubercular disease, from which she •tlied on June 6th. The deceased was in a ; dirty state, and had a large bed sore on her left hip, her hands "and fingers were cut and her knees callous, the result apparently of hard work. Nurse Ewart corroborated the House Surgeon's evidence. At this stage the enquiry was adjourned till 4 p.m. yesterday. Mi Hunt then appeared on behalf of Mr O'Carroll. Dr. Murray-Aynsley gave a detailed description of the internal organs ©£ the deceased, which showed that there ■was extensive tubercular disease. He stated that he was unable to admit the case on the night the girl was brought down, because of the absence of a doctor's order and the beds were all full. The Hospital >wm so crowded with cases fit for treatment rthat there was no room for incurable cases. A person dying from a chronic disease waa doc a fit subject for the Hospital. Mrs Rowan, proprietor of a nursing home in Durham street, vrhere the girl was taken ■lor one night prior to her admission to the Hospital, gave evidence as to the girl bein<» in a dirty state. The deceased had told h«r that the bed sore came on suddenly. Mrs Dalzell, J as. Peter Schon and Michael "Walah, gave evidence to show that the girl vrta well treated at the Carroil's. Dr. Fitzhenxy deposed to finding the girl in a low state and prescribing a Conic for her. Detective Benjamin stated that he found the bed in which deceased slept in Carroll's house a comfortable one, anJ well supplied ■with clothes. Mr Hunt recalled Mr O Carroll, who detailed the steps he had taken to get the deceased admitted to the hospital. He had 'done all he could for her. Nurse Griffiths waa called to prove that there were two vacant beds in No. 2 (the convalescent ward) on the night of June 4th. Annie Kelly, Johanna Crave, Mary Bowser, aud Thos. Devine -x-ere called to chow that the deceased was well treated %nd was not overworked at Mr O'Carroll's. Dr. Murr&y-Aynsley, recalled, said that when he received a telephone message from Sef ton saying that the girl was coiniug down he sent a reply that the case was to be stopped unless it was aa accident or a doctor's urgent order could be produced. Aβ he heard no further word he concluded the case had been stopped. There were no vacant beds in No. 4 ward, but there were two in No. 2. He was, however, boaoci by the by-laws to keep vacant beds available for accident cases. 'I he hospital waa so crowded thac it was difficult to make room for poor people, ami there were two or more nursing homes in Christchurch where people able to pay could go. Mr Carroll said he could afford to pay and therefore he recommended him to take the girl to a home for one night and to see a medical uian at once. The jury, after a. short deliberation, returned, a verdict of " Death from natural causes, , ' but fouud that iio blame was attachable to anyone.