THE WOODVILLE CASE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 9909, 15 December 1892, Page 5

THE WOODVILLE CASE.

[Peb Press Association/) WELLINGTON. Dec. 14. The trial of Syms, of Woodville, chemist, for an alleged illegal operation on Mra Hall, postponed from the criminal sessions last month, began before a special jury to-day. Elizabeth Hall, in cross-examination, said she did not notice any difference in the manner in which the accused treated her and the manner in which doctors had previcusly treated her. Before the libel action against Haggen, Dr Davenport and bis wife asked witness to sign a certain statement, but as they declined to put in all she wanted to say, she refused. The Crown Prosecutor asked witness whether she was willing that Dr Davenport should state what she had told him of her condition. Witness replied that she was not. The accused's counsel contended that this would cover the evidence of all the doctors in the case. His Honor (to witness) : “ The fact is you wish to stop the prosecution." Witness : “ Oh, no." Wit ness still persisting in her refusal was not farther examined. Her sister, Mrs Walsh, and Dr Davenport were next examined, their evidence being principally a recapitulation of that in the lower Court. At 6 p.m. the Court adjourned until eight o’clock, the Jury being anxious to go on until ten o’clock. Dr Davenport’s cross-examination as to Mrs Hall’s condition was of a highly technical character. Dr M'Callum, who had treated Mrs Hall, said that from what Dr Davenport and Mrs Walsh had deposed no medical man could come to an absolute conclusion that there had been abortion. Dr Menzies stated that he had treated Mrs Hall in the Napier Hospital, and whan she left she was apparently cured. It would, he said, be improper to use instruments in the way in which it was caid the prisoner had used them. At ten o’clock tho Court adjourned, tho accused being admitted to bail. The case will probably last three days.