SUICIDE AT PONSONBY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8508, 7 March 1891, Page 5

SUICIDE AT PONSONBY.

A YOUNG WOMAN POISONS

HERSELF.

SHE EATS FORTY MATCHES.

CORONER'S INQUEST.

A sad case of suicide was reported to the police on Thursday evening,' a young woman named Emma Lilian Whittingham having fatally poisoned herself by eating a number of phosphorus matches. Deceased was a single woman of 21 years of age, and was the daughter by her first marriage of Mrs. M. J. Cameron, who resides in College Road, Ponsonby. She had been in a despondent mood since Christmas, and it is supposed that she was led to make away with herself owing to some attempts that she thought were being made to undermine her reputation. Deceased was employed by Mrs. Percival in Parnell, and bore an excellent character from her. A coroner's inquest was held at the Suffolk Hotel yesterday afternoon, to inquire into the circumstances connected with the case. Dr. Philson acted in the capacity of coroner, and a jury of six were empanelled, of whom Mr. W. G. Cunnold was chosen foreman. The details of the tragedy as elicited at the inquest are as follows:—

Mary Jane Cameron, a widow residing in College Road, was the first witness called, and deposed that she was the mother of Emma Whittingham, who was 21 years of age, and gained a livelihood by means of domestic service. Deceased was last in the employ of Mrs. Percival, Ayrstreet, Parnell. Her daughter was a strong healthy girl. On Tuesday, March 3rd, deceased left her place on account of illness, and came home. When deceased came home she asked witness to take her place at Mrs. Percival's until she was better. Deceased told witness that she was suffering from a sick headache and a sore throat. Witness observed that her face was flushed, bub deceased did not then appear to be very ill. Witness told deceased as she went away that if she was really ill she ought to send for a doctor. When witness arrived at Mrs. Percival's residence Mrs. Percival enquired after her daughter's health, and told her how deceased had fainted away that morning. At ten p.m. on Wednesday evening last, witness received a summons to return home, saying that her daughter was dangerously ill. On arriving home shortly before midnight she found deceased unconscious, in bod. About three on Thursday mornine deceased recovered consciousness, and told witness that there was nothing the matter with her, and that she was getting better. Witness went into another room to lie down after this, and shortly after four o'clock she overheard deceased telling her sister that she had eaten some matches. Witness then entered the sick room, and asked her daughter what kind of matches she had eaten. Deceased replied, Mother, don't you speak to mo like that." Witness only spoke once more to her daughter, and asked her if she was not afraid to die. Deceased replied that she was ready to die. These were her last words to her daughter, who died at ten minutes to five that morning. She did nob confess to witness that she had eaten matches. Deceased had been in a melancholy state since last Christmas. She asked Dr. Knight to give a certificateof death yesterday, but he declined to do so, stating that he thought it was necessary that there should be an inquest on the body. Deceased was in the habit of keep ing company with a young man named Edward Cummings. She heard that Edward Gumming* and deceased were last in company on Sunday night last, at her son's house in Victoria-street.

In reply to a question by Constable Foreman, witness stated that just before her death deceased looked up at her and exclaimed, " Yes, you are my mother and you have driven me to destruction."

Letitia Radford, daughter of last witness, deposed that she was step-sister to Emma Whictingham. She was in attendance on deceased all Wednesday night last. Deceased told her that she had come homo to die. During the evening deceased mistook witness for Doctor Knight, and said to her, "Doctor, I am only a poor girl, will you forgive me Deceased then said that she had eaten matches. Witness asked her how many, and she replied " Forty," and stated that she had eaten them on Friday, 27th' ultimo. She then'said, " Doctor, will you pray for me." She was present at the second visit of Dr. Knight to the deceased at nine o'clock on Wednesday evening. Dr. Knight told witness that he thought there were slight symptoms of fever when first he called. In the evening he stated that deceased was very low, but gave no opinion as to the cause.

Isabella Rogers deposed that she wus a sister to the deceased, and lived in College Road, Ponsonby. On Sunday last deceased told her that she had made her will, and had left all her clothes to her. Deceased also told her she did not think that she would live very long. Deceased came back from Parnell on Tuesday evening, complaining of being unwell. On Wednesday morning she complained of pains all over her body. At six o'clock on Wednesday evening witness gave her a powder that had been prescribed by Dr. Knight. Shortly after this witness heard her talking about m.itches. Witness asked deceased if she had eaten matches, and she denied the charge. She then said she would like to see a doctor. Deceased then became unconscious. \Vhen the doctor came at nine o'clock witness mentioned that deceased had been talking about matches, and asked the doctor if she appeared to have taken any. About five o'clock on Thursday morning deceased fell out of bed on to the floor, and on being put back to be'd expired.

Edward Cummings, joiner, residing in Victoria-street, deposed to seeing deceased 011 the evening of Sunday last, and accompanying her from her mother's house to Mrs. Percival's, in Parnell, when she appeared to be in good health and spirits. He stayed with deceased for about an hour and a-half. Witness had no quarrel or dispute with deceased. Deceased told him that certain people had been spreading evil reports about her, and attempting to undermine her character, and in some degree hinted at making away with herself. She said that if this sort of thing continued she would not be able to outlive it. He saw deceased again on Wednesday morning, when she was in College Road. Witness never heard her speak of swallowing matches.

Dr. Knight deposed that he first saw de ceased at College Road on Wednesday last at three p.m. Deceased was then quite sensible, and fairly bright. She told him that she had been poorly for some time past, and had been vomiting up till five a.m. that morning, but stated that she had felt better during the day. The tongue was furred, and the pulse weak. Deceased expressed eagerness to got back to work, and asked witness if he thought she would be fit to be back next day. His opinion then was that deceased was suffering from some gastric irritation, but had no proof as to the cause. He gave her some medicine, and told her to regulate her diet till the stomach was quite settled. He saw deceased again at nine o'clock the same evening, but she was then quite insensible and restless. Ho discovered no smell of phosphorus in deceased's breath. There were none of the usual signs of phosphorus poisoning present, except that the skin was changing its colour. Dr. Knight said that he could give no definite information as to the cause of death.

At this stage in the inquiry, Dr. Knight was requested by Dr. Philson to make a ;post mortem on the body, and the inquest was adjourned for three-quarters of an hour. On resuming. Dr. Knight said that on opening the stomach and intestines he discovered a distinct smell of phosphorus. In fact, as soon as he cut the skin he discovered the smell. He could discover no heads of matches in the stomach. Witness saw that the stomach was inflamed in patches and enormously distended. His opinion was that death was due to phosphorous poisoning. Dr. Knight said that lie never stated that deceased was suffering from fever, as had been stated by a previous witness, lie believed that the state of deceased's mind was much depressed, and thai) she could not have been responsible for her actions.

This concluded the evidence and the jury returned a verdict to the effect " That deceased died from poisoning by phosphorous taken by herself whilst in a state of temporary insanity."