DEATH OF WOMAN IN HOSPITAL

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 249, 17 July 1937, Page 7

DEATH OF WOMAN IN HOSPITAL

Inquest at Auckland WITNESSES DECLINE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS By Telegraph—Press Association Auckland, July 16. “Inquiries have been continued to date, but we have not been able to connect any person with causing the girl’s death” said Detective Murch at the conclusion of an inquest into the death of a young woman, aged 22. who had been employed as a cashier. The coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, returned a verdict that death in the Auckland Hospital on May 15 as a result of septic abortion. When the inquest was resumed today evidence was given by a chemist, Leslie. Ward Mackie, and his wife, Yvonne Mackie. Both refused to answer certain questions on the grounds of possible incrimination. Their interests were watched by Mr. M. Robinson, while Detective-Sergeant Walsh appeared for the police. At the opening of the hearing earlier in the week. Dr. Gilmour, pathologist at the Auckland Hospital, had expressed the opinion that death was caused through septic abortion. Yvonne Mackie was the first witness called today. Detective-Sergeant Walsh: Where is your husband in business? Witness: I refuse to answer.'

Detective-Sergeant 'Walsh: Why do you refuse to answer? —“Because it may incriminate me.” Did you know a girl named Miss ?.—“l refuse to answer that question.” Why, witness? —“Because it might incriminate me.”

On May 19 Detective Murch saw you at your home and told’ you he had information that Miss , who died in the hospital on the previous Saturday, had been an inmate in your house five weeks before. Do you agree with that?

The witness declined to answer. The witness said she did not remember Detective Murch foiling her that a man had telephoned on two or three occasions about, a girl’s condition. She refused to answer whether she told the detective that if any illegal operations took place at her bouse she had nothing to do with them and whether she had told the detective that her husband sent girls to the house and that whatever he did to them was none of her business. Detective-Sergeant Walsh: Did you tell Detective Murch that girls had been to your house and you had looked after them and cooked for them? Witness: I refuse to answer. Leslie Ward Mackie, aged 40, said he qualified as a chemist in Auckland at the age of 22. He had no shop or place of business. He refused to answer on the grounds that it might incriminate him whether he was employed by any chemist at the present time. He also refused to answer a question when he had last seen the girl depicted in a photograph produced. Detective-Sergeant Walsh: Did the deceased visit your house by appointment. in April? Witness: I refuse to answer. You know this girl died at. the public hospital?—“l do not know'.” The coroner: But you have heard it? Witness: Yes.. Replying to the coroner, the witness said he had never been known as “Dr. Mackie.” He said he had never seen a letter dater May 17, addressed “Dear Les,” which Detective-Sergeant Walsh stated had been found in the house. The letter read to the court referred to the condition of a girl. The coroner: How do you earn a living? ■Witness: I refuse to answer that. Detective Murch gave evidence that he visited the house on May 19. Mrs. Mackie told him she was dominated by her husband and was not allowed to question anything he did. In a search of the house the police had been unable to find any evidence relating to the death of the deceased. In Mrs. Mackie’s handbag was found a letter already produced. Mrs. Mackie said a girl had brought it to the house that day, and she was going to give it to her husband. The coroner returned a finding that the cause of death was septic abortion.