SERIOUS CHARGE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 104, 29 October 1935, Page 13

SERIOUS CHARGE

THE CASE OF HEWEE

SUPREME COURT HEARING

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day.

The trial commenced in the Supreme Court this morning before his Honour Mr. Justice Fair of George Frederick Hewer (49), described as a medical practitioner, and Phyllis Shorter (31), married woman, who were committed ion September 3 charged that on July 1 18 with intent to procure a certain result they unlawfully caused a girl to take a certain noxious thing containing drugs. They were further charged with on July 23 using an instrument or other means with intent to procure a certain result. The Judge requested suppression of the names of two girls. Outlining the case Mr. Hubble, for the Crown, said the evidence against Shorter, Hewer's nurse, was that,she assisted and took some. part in his activities. The facts related, to two sisters. The elder went to Hewer's rooms on July 4 and made certain arrangements for her sister. Payment for the alleged operation was discussed, and on Saturday, July 13, the younger sister, who was the subject of the charge, arrived from Whangarei. Mr. Hubble described various visits by the two sisters to Hewer's rooms, saying that the older sister had been told by Hewer that £6 would be enough to "fix her up." On the evening of July 23 detectives went to the place where the girls were living, and about 11 o'clock that night the younger sister was taken to hospital and examined by Dr. Gilmour arid Dr. MacCormick, who would say that a miscarriage was threatened. Evidence would also be given by a nurse that a miscarriage took place. Medicine handed by one of the girls to a detective had been analysed and the evidence would show that its only purpose was to bring about a certain result.' There would be the evidence Of detectives" who'had been keeping Hewer's rooms under observation for some time and' also the evidence of a chemist,- who would say that Hewer telephoned and asked for a bottle of a certain mixture. On the night of July 23 the police executed a search warrant at Hewer's home and at his rooms in the city collected a number of instruments. Hewer at first denied that he knew the girl concerned but later admitted that he did, saying he had been treating her for an abscess. The case is proceeding.