The Auckland Death.

Hastings Standard, Issue 512, 29 December 1897, Page 2

The Auckland Death.

STRANGE DISCLOSURES EXPECTED.

(By Telegraph).

(Per Press Association.)

Auckland, Dec. 28

Drs. Bakewell and Scott, of Onehunga, made a post mortem on the body of the young woman McCallum to-day. It is rumored that sensational disclosures will be made at the inquest tomorrow.

THE INQUEST

Auckland, This day.

The inquest concerning the death of Susau Harriett Campbell McCallum, formerly of Dunedin, was commenced to-day. Mrs Metcalfe deposed that the deceased took a room at her house under the name of Mrs Sparks, earlylast September. She said her husbana was away. She remained till last Wednesday, when Dr Orpen sent a cab for her and took her to a private Hospital in Hepburn street. Mrs Sparks (as she was called) had previously been in bed twelve days, being attended by Dr Orpen all that time. When she arrived at the hospital two nurses carried her in. Witness did not see her again until the day she died. Deceased told witness that her father's name was McCallum, and said he was harbor-master at Port Chalmers. A fortnight ago, when deceased took ill, she told witness she had had a miscarriage. She said her husband was in Mount Eden gaol. She said her pregnancy was only six weeks. Witness was in the room every time Dr Orpen called. Deceased said she also saw him at his office in town. She told witness her object in seeing the doctor in town was to procure abortion. She did not say how the operation was performed. Nurse Ogilvie, employed at the private hospital, deposed that when Dr Orpen arranged for the admission of the deceased he said she was suffering from acute 'gastritis. Dr Orpen saw her several times after her admission. Dr Purchas also saw her three times while she was in the hospital. Sh'e died on Christmas night. Mr Allan, Justice of the Peace, was called in to take her dying depositions. Witness called him in because she suspected something wrong. She said to deceased, " If I bring a gentleman here will you tell him the whole story ?" She replied, " Yes." Dr Purchas recommended her to send for Mr Allkn, who came at 11 on the night of the 24th. She did not send for the police. The body was moved by the undertaker at 12 o'clock on the night of the 25th, upon witness' instruction. This was the usual course in her house. Nurse Ogilvie further stated that she suspected something wrong because deceased told her she had a miscarriage on the previous Saturday week. Deceased was conscious till the last. She had been dying for the previous 24 hours, and was vomiting incessantly. In reply to Inspector Ilickson the witness said she thought she had done her duty in sending for a J.P. when she suspected something wrong. Inspector Hickson said he did not hear about the affair until the body was about to be buried. The person implicated was then clean off from the colony. He did not blame the nurse, but thought the police should have been informed earlier.

Mrs Garrett, at whose place Dr Orpen lodged, deposed that the doctor left about one o'clock on 'Xmas Day. He told her he was going for a trip for his health. He did not say when he would be back. He had been talking some time about taking a trip. His departure was very sudden. He-called witness and asked her if a boy could take his boxes to the boat. The inquiry is proceeding.