INQUEST AT SHORTLAND ON THE BODY OF MARY LAPINE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1311, 29 January 1868, Page 2

INQUEST AT SHORTLAND ON THE BODY OF MARY LAPINE.

Ak inquest vas held on PsiturJay, the 25th' inst,, at the house of Mr. Frank Furlong, the Keefere* Arms Hotel, corner of Pollen and Bichmond-streets, Shortland, before Alan Baillie, Esq., coroner, and a respectable jary, on view of the body of Mary Lapine, a Frenchwoman, who died on the day previous/under circumstances disclosed in the following evidence, Mr. Joseph Boulter was chosen foreman of the jury, and the jury having been sworn they proceeded to view the body which had been removed to the outer portion of the hotel. The deceased was apparently about twenty-five or twenty-sis years of age, slight built, of the middle height, with dark hair and features —so far as it is possible to judge in such a case that would indicate a person who had had both education and position. Having viewed the body the jury returned, and the following evidence waß taken: Mary Anne Kennedy, being sworn, said: I am a single woman residing at Karaka. I know deceased; she whs living in the same tent with myself. 1\ e have lived together for five weeks. Deceased, Mary Lapine, first became ill about a week since; tihe complained of the ♦ fleets of drink. Deceased would mver eat anything in my presence, but took milk and brandy in quantities of a cup full at a time. I!y a juror: I have left the tent of Mary Lapine about a week. When I left &he appta-ed perfectly well. I never heard her complain of havirg received pny injury. No violence was ever offered to deceased to m knowledge. My mother and brother were living in the tent with deceased after I left, and up to within two days of the death of dece ised. To the best of my knowledge deceased wjis unmarried, und was born in France. Ihe first time I met her was in Shortland. Mary A nne Kennedy, being recalled, said: DeeeLaed never complained of having received injuries. I rerr.ember a disturbance near the tent one evening last week. The quarrel Was between heri-elf and others. At that time she was in drink. I b-lieve this wan on Saturdiy la»t, between 10 and 11 o'clock. Deceased has always falling about when in drink.

John Horan, being duly sworn, stated: I reeido at Muanitaiara. Oc VVwdnesday morning laat I happ«i;ed to be passing the tent where deceased was lyini?. My attention wa< drawn by a man who aaid it wa~ a sharn'i to leave the woman in a deserted emte. Upon this I looked into the tent and observed the deceased lyiDg prostrate, and apparently vomiti.g. I ttien went away, and upon pneeing'the tent on my return I was anxious to know how ehe was and again looked into the tent. She at this time appeared much better. I asked her bow long ehe had been in the country. She replied two years, and that she was not a married woman. By a juror : On the eecond occasion the deceased was still on the ground, but reclining. There vas n i bedding in the tent. I never eaw deceased before ih.it day to my knowledge. amiiel Laird, sworn, deposed: I am a miner residing at K-.rak H , nnd my tent is near Waiotahi Lust evening before sunset I was standing at :my lent when one of my mates came up.' I asi:ed him where he h*d been He replied that he "»' °. ne of the crowd that had assembled nt-ar where a woman hid died. After this I went, to the tent uiyeelf, and when there he.ud a woman'elato Umt " the death of the poor woman should be a warning to others, and that she believed f fO m marie -he had seen on the body of the deceased that she h-.d be.n illtr, tad." The wom.n ,-aid that the eye oi ih u dsceased was black, and her nrme wore bluo

SWoil wonSn hUg received!!! treatmen*. ■~ y.. duly sworn deposed: lam & John Wallace, being o T forM etationed at constable in f he 23rd inet, I was proShortland. °? **V et J wn en I meet a person who ceding along the f™ d ; ng> - m a tent and that toldmetherevcaeawonia y went to her the doctor 7 8 an 5 e e r a V deceased in a very low condiwoman's tent ana e* ta ; ne d that no one waa tion. Upon me that it wee attending her. .Ur'| ea t(j tfae Ho . imperative ehe j*^ 1 * te Btating her disease, and reand gave me *"*£!& j B | o wea that certificate •■»*«; er £oZ™ ™ authority *° have her to Mr. M^aJV^ 0 order to dOBO x took a spring C °^ to heTtent, where she was lying. Upon cart down to her ten , weak state, and I V Wr Sto Pr eroth who accompanied me to her * he ? Tnd aW ten minutes after our arrival tha tent, and_about tea. ? wom an "g™nJu*i I herself in the following words, present who fl b warning "Look at this poorwom deoeaee a' B arms and Trl X e nomS'on them, neither was her eye or eves black or discoloured. Henry James Boache, being duly eworn, deposed : I reside in Shortland. One evening last week I had Lclson to proceed to Waiotahi. Upon my return lalT at night I heard screams as if coming from a female TToon going to whence«ie sounds proceeded I SS deceaTdfaiafy Lepine, sitting on the group* ervine and about a dozen men near her. She eaid, « 'I was aaked out of my tent to take a glass of brandy by two men. They led me towards the beach, and I thinking they were not going the propsr way, refused to proceed any further. One of the two men then put hie hand over my mouth and knocked me downi and attempted to take advantage of me. ■ The other man kicked me in the abdomen. People then coming up prevented their going further. The deceased appeared in such an excited state that 1 thought she was drank. An elderly man then saw her to her tent. I followed them to the door of the tent, and my impression is that the deceased was per- ' fectlv sober. I saw her yesterday, and ehe tola me she was dying. I then communicated the circumstance to the Rev. Mr. Mauneell. I cannot remember the night this happened. There was a light in the tent, and an elderly woman sitting there alone. 1 Juliue Groth, being sworn, stated : lam a duly qualified medical practitioner of the University of Kiel, and at present in practice in Shortland. Oα "Wednesday afternoon laet I, was proceeding to Waiotahi, when several persons called upon me, and drew my attention to a tent, in which, as they eaid , , a woman was dying. I the tent and found the deceased, Mary. Lapine, lying upon the ground with a bundle of clothes under her. I asked her what eho complained of, and she said she had been suffering since Saturday with vomiting, and was in great p in. I asked her if she could eho aseign any probable cause for her complaints. She eaid ehe did not know the cause. But upon, further enquiry she stated she had been confined in her bowels for five or six days. I concluded from what she eSted that inflammation of the bowelu had set in, and recommended her immediate removal to the Provincial Hospital. In the meantime I gave her en iniection, and farther directions how to act; these directions I afterwards found had not been attended to. I recommended hot water poultices to ha applied to the stomach. At the time I was attending her there was a woman present with several children. The following day I saw deceased and found she was getting worse, and appeared as if ehe had taken spirits, as a bottle was lying close to her. She never mentioned to me that she had received violence. I informed the police of the fact o-f the woman, being very ill, and recommended her removal to the Hospital or some other place where she would be properly treated. I saw deceaeed again yesterday, and she appeared much worse than on the previous occasion. I found that she had not followed my advice in taking the medicine I had sent her the day before. In the morning of ye'terday Constable Wallace called me tp again see the woman. I found ehe was not in a fit state for removal. She expired: shortly afterwards. T believe the cause of death wag typhilites brought on by constipation of the bowels and accelerated through excessive drinking of ardent spirits. There were no marks of violence o»-*te body. Tto aiseaaa or "wuiku -aeceaßedTciiecl wonloz--not have been brought on by violence, but would have caused vomiting. The mark that appears: on. the body would have been more distended if she had been kicked.

The jury after more than two : hoiira , consultation, returned the following Terdict, " That the deceased. Mary Lapine, died on Friday, the 24th. January, instant, in a tent on the Waiotehi' Flat, of typhilitea, accelerated by excessive drinking, and want of propor care and nourisLment."

Goto Begcxations.—The notification in the Gaze tie, noticed by us oh Monday morning, respecting the number of men allowed for -each horse power, applies only to Coromandel, and does not refer to the Thames Gold-field. The Poll fob City East.—The declaration of the poll for City East will take place at the" Mechanics' Institute at noon on Friday next. Post Office Savings Banks.—Mr. Gladstone's favorite scheme is likely to work immense good. In 1862 the amount standing to the credit of the Post O2ce Savings Banks in the hooks of the Commissioners for the reduction of the National Debt was £1,659,032. Last year 1866-7, amounted to £8,231,177. WeILINGTON-STBEET LiTEBABT JiSSOCIATtON , . —This association meets this evening at 7.30 . o'clock. .■•'.. Shooting Excubsion.—About thirty gentlemen left the wharf yesterday morning in the little steamer Gemini on a pleasure fcrip to Matahehe Island, and returned again last evening, after a very pleasant day's shooting, &c. We have been requested to state that the Gemini will make her usual trip to Riverhead this morning, returning again at 8 p.m., and we have no doubt a number of pleasure-seekers will avail; themselves of this opportunity. By the kind permission of Colonel Elliott, the band of the Royal Irish, under the direction of Mr. Quinn, will perform this, day at the Caledonian Sports. (Weather permitting.) The following is the programme :—March, "Hope's Fond Remembrances," Quinn; Overture, "La Sirene," Auber; Waltz, "Kathleen Mavourneen," D'Albert ; Selection, " Charivari Potpourri," Hainm; Polka Mazurka, "Fairy Bells," Quinn ; Quadrille, " Vive L'Empereur ** Bergmann ; Galop, " Die Enz Flossen," Xuhner; " God Save the Queen." JNovelt? is Wood Tvumm. —We have been shown by Mr. Busby some elegant flowervases turned from the stem of the Punga Punea or New Zealand fern tree. They would forni excellent and novel ornaments, and will doubtless, come extensively into use if it should befound that they retain their brilliancy of colour Pbovinciai. Cottkcii,.—The Council met yesterday at the usual hour. A motion was passed relating to certain settlers on the Kawafeawa block (Bay of Islands), also a motion relating to the case of Mr, Peter Graee. The Council resolved itsslf into committee to consider theestimates. The item Provincial Seeretaryt £200, was educed on the motion of Mr. Creighton to £100. On the motion, Provincial item be reduced by £175. Progress was reported, and leave given to sit again on Thursday. A. vote for a twomonths' necessary supplr ?> the hospital, goal, asylum, orphans, sick Lk destitute, was passed. The Council adjourned at 7.30 p.m. to 3 o'clock p.m., on Thursday (to-inorrow). ' The Annual Soiree in connection with, the INewton Congregational Church; takes place thia (Wednesday) evening, at half-past six. Aftertea a public meeting will be held, at which big. .Honor the Superintendent is expected to pref. lc v*- Addresses on various topics will be delivered by the Kevs. P. H. Cornford, J. Dean (from Australia), and J". T. Warlow Davies. The services of Messrs. Austen, Westmoreland, Brett and others, accompanied by Mr. Lambert on the harmonium, have been secured for themusical portion of the . evening's pro.-eedings. Judging from the proposed programme, we anticipate that it will attract a large attendance towhat we hare no doubt will prove a pleasant and happy gathering. Tickets may be secured afc the doors.

Th j first declaration under the new Bankrupts Act was filed yesterday at the Supreme Con- I by Mr. Hesketh. Co ipensatioh Coukt.—Several cases were hea r l in this Court yesterday, but our report of then, is crowded out. P,lice. —Four persons were punished for drunkenness at the Police Court yesterday. Siir. ael "Wile for obstructing the Customs authoritie. was sentenced to sis months' imprisonment with hard labor, and Benjamin Pillenger, cha-gedwitli evading Customs duties, was fined £100. Xbimitive Ciiapel.—The meeting for the reception of the Eer. "W. J. B<-an took place last evening in the chapel, li-iwardes-street. A considerable nunibor of the congregation nnd friends partook of tea in tJ-3 adjacent school-room, after which the He sting reassembled in the chapel, where suita't 'e addresses were delivered by the chairman (Mr. Arthur), Mr. Booth, the Eevs. —Me Donald, Warlow Davies, Booker and others. The meeting was very successful, the proceed 3 being in aid of the Trust Fund. The late Robbery in Victokta-s lheet. —It will be remembered that some tit , since Mr. Newbold, of Victoria-street, reported to the police authorities tLat he had been robbed of a considerable sum of money, beside a quantity of jewellery, &c. Mr. S. K. O'Dell, who lived in the same house, also reported that he had suffered in a similar manner to a considerable amount. Yesterday, however, a warrant was issued against Mr. O'Dell on the information of Mr. Newboid, and at about 4.30 last evening, Detective Ternahan apprehended him at his residence. Mr. O'Dell is charged with stealing from the dwelling bouse of J. N. Newboid iibout £90 in gold, £'5 or £6 in £1 netes, about £'o or £7 in silver, an 1.0.1T, from Townley for £6, gold wedding ring value 55., gold keeper value 45., and a silver pipe value Is., of the total value of about £120.

The Smuggling Case.—The two men, James Miller and Samuel Wile, were called at the Police Court yesterday, on the charge of having committed a breach of the 177 th clause of the Customs Act. James Miller did not s.ppear. The recognisances, Messrs. J. Davis t.nd Tucker, were called upon to forfeit their bail of £25 each. The charge against the other accused, "Wile, was then proceeded with, Mr. Gillies and Mr. MacCormick appearing for the defence. The evidence corresponded in almost every particular with the facts given in our issue of Monday last. The Bench (Messrs. G. Graham, and J. H. Home, J.P.'s) sentenced the accused to six months' imprisonment. The same prisoner and Benjamin Pillenger were then charged with a breach of the 163 rd section of the Act. The charge against "Wile was withdrawn, and Pillenger was proceeded against singly. The accused was very ably defended by Mr. MacCormick. The Bench imposed a penalty of .£IOO, declining to entertain an objection whieh had been made by Mr. iJacCormick respecting the informal character of the information. Subsequently security ■was given for depositing the fine, pending the result of an appeal to the superior Court."

The Eebel Gordon. —It will be no little satisfaction to the admirers of Ex-Governor Eyre, of Jamaica, to learn that " An affidavit has been sworn in London by Captain Henry Bolton Edenborough, who in 1565 was in Kingston, Jamaica, in command of an armed schooner, the Happy-go-Lucky, which was cruising in the offing while he was on shore. It is to the effect that the Eev. G-. W. Gordon (who was executed at the instance of Governor JSyre) endeavoured to purchase the vessel, and failing'that bargain, her armament, guns, powder, rifles, torpedos, &c, and that these were intended for use in the rebellion of the negroes,.which afterwards broke oufc prematurely." Tilti>*g iu the Ring.—ln noticing the Caledonian gathering which has lately taken place at Marlborongh, the Express refers to the sport of " tilting in the ring," aid says : —" This was the best sport of the day, and is one of the oldest games known. At intervals of about 50 yards, four posts were erected, ■with a transverse beam projecting about 9 feet from the ground, frpm which depended a clasp containing an iron ring about two inches in diameter. The game consisted in the competitors on horseback riding at a gallop, and by means of a long lance, held close to the side by the elbow carrying off the greatest number of rings. There were nine competitors, who had in tura six courses, with the following result. Considerable interest was felt in the game, and large sums changed hands upon it.