A WOMAN'S DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14927, 27 February 1912, Page 8

A WOMAN'S DEATH.

CAUSE NOT ASCERTAINED

FURTHER INQUIRY TO BE MADE. ;An inquiry into the circumstances, surrounding the "death of 'Gwendoline Thompkins, which occurred on Sunday morning, 'was opened by the Coroner (Mr. T. Gresham) yesterday. George Crichton, who lived in a house in Union-street with deceased, was the first witness called. After being warned by tho Coroner that ho was not compelled to answer questions, he stated that he had known deceased for some six months. She resided in the same house as witness. He believed her to be a native of Christchurch. Deceased's name was Gwendoline Thompkins.

The Coroner at this stage said ho did not propose to examine the -witness further at present, as it would be necessary to adjourn tiie caso Mr. Gresham referred to the fact that witness had given, the police the name of Crichton, as being that of the deceased. He did not blame witness for endeavouring to protect the dead woman's reputation by giving his own name, but it v. as a different matter when witness was on oath. He intimated to the witness that ho would be called upon to give evidence after the adjournment. Dr. A. McMaster, who made a postmortem examination of the body, stated that ho could find no positive cause for death. Ho had secured the stomach for the purpose of enabling an analysis to bo made. The Coroner remarked that the circumstances were peculiar. Tlio woman, when attended by Dr. Parkes, appeared to be making satisfactory progress, the doctor telling her she could get out of bed on Sunday. On the Sunday morning she was seized with violent pains, and died before Dr. Park.es (who had been sent for) arrived. Under the circumstances the doctor had refused to give a certificate as to the cause of death. Dr. Parkes would give evidence when the inquiry -was resumed.

Sergeant Lnnigan stated that he found eight bottles of medicine in the room occupied bv deceased. One of tho bottles was labelled " Poison," and contained perchloride of mercury. At this stage the case- was adjourned until April 2, so that an analysis of the contents of the stomach may be made.