SUDDEN DEATH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1650, 14 October 1903, Page 50

SUDDEN DEATH.

MRS MALCOLM NICCOL. SOME STRANGE DEVELOPMENTS. Mrs Malcolm Niccol, wifo of Mr M. Niccol, formerly a well-known commercial man in Auckland, but better known, poihaps, as the grand secretary, of the New Zealand Lodgo of Free* masons, died at her residence at 3a, Ellice street, on Wednesday evening. Deceased, who was a very young woman, was a daughter of the lato Judge Yon Stunner, of the Native Land Court, Auckland, and was well known in the North. Sho was an expert swimmer, and at various times liad saved tho lives of three persons from drowning at North Shore, Auckland. For these and similar acts of bravery sho received tho award of the Royal Humane Society. Deceased was not attended by a medical man before her death, but it is staled that another woman was presont when sho expired. A post-mortem avox held by Drs Henry and Putnam on Thursday, but the result has net been made known. THE CORONER’S INQUIRY. An inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of Mis Niccol Avas commenced on Thursday before Mr J. Ashcroft (Coroner! and the following jury : —Messrs Charles Main waring, John Callaghan, Joseph Kilfoy, Frederick Cass in, James Thawley and Robert Bryant. Mr Myers appeared on behalf of the ' police, and Mr Herd man watched the case for deceased’s husband. Dr Chappie said he was consulted by the deceased on the 11th uit. She complained of pains. Witness told her sho was enceinte, that there was nothing else tho matter, and that the pains would pass off. On September 15th lie was called upon to A'isit deceased at her liof.iso. He saw her once again the next day or the day after —avlicii the pains had disappeared, and she was apparently quite well.' After that witness never saw her professionally. On September 24th ho was called to deceaseds house to sec her boy, who had broken an arm, and had been attending him since that date. Deceased said nothing about herself during that time. He last saw her a-livo on the Gth. She seemed well then. Sho . brought her boy to AvitnosJs surgery that day. Deceased <sakl nothing about herself. When witness got home at about halfpast livo o’clock on Wednesday there was an urgent message ou his slate to go to deceased’s house Airs Winter (of 57, Sydney street) was waiting afe his surgery, and told him that Mrs Niocol was dead. He proceeded to the house, and saw her lying dead. She Avas dressed in a clean He described deceased’s condition. There was a stain of blood on a cloth used by deceased. On the floor at the bottom of the bed Avas a folded towel about half saturated with blood. The Coroner: Is that produced? Air Myers: Yes. _ Dr Chappie (continuing) said deceased’s clothes Avero lying about the room, but none of them were stained with blood. The Coroner : Was there anything to show a miscarriage?—No. You don’t offer any opinion as to the cause of death? —I avhs not present ab tho post-mortem, and made no further examination. Air Alyers intimated that he would have some questions te ask Dr Chappie, bub not at this stage. The inquiry Avould probably be adjourned, and he could put them then. Air IXordman intimated that he had an application to make. He Avished that an adjournment could be agreed upon until Air Niccol’s return from Auckland. Tho Coroner said ho would have to take tho evidence of the medical officers. Their time Avas very A r aluable. Air Alyers stated that he Avculd prefer to have the inquiry adjourned, Tho Coroner replied that he avould have to take sufficient eAddonc© to issue a certificate for the burial of the body. Air Herdman said be desired that the interment should not take place until the return of Air Niccol. He had no objection to the medical eAridenee being taken. It Avais then suggested that Air Alyers and Air Herdman should consult Avitli the medical officers who performed tho post-mortem, and a short adjournment was made to alloAV of this. . On resuming, it was agreed, after a brief consultation, that the inquiry should be adjourned until the 12th inst. Tho adjourned inquest regarding the death of Airs Alalcolm Niccol, who died suddenly on Wednesday last at her residence, 35, Ellice street, was resumed on Alonday before Air James Ashcroft, District Coroner. Air Alyers appeared for the police, Avhile Air Herdman watched the case on behalf of Air Niccol, husband of the deceased. A juror wished to elicit from Dr Chappie, who was the first witness called, whether Airs Niccol, when she visited him, said anything about desiring to obtain a miscarriage. The doctor declined to answer this question, though both the Coroner and Mr. Alyers pointed out that there was

no privilege extended to communioartioirs made for a criminal purpose. Eventually the point was deferred to a later hour of the proceedings. Dr Pwitnam described post-mortem examinations he had made. Found evidence to show that Mrs Niccol hari died during the progress of a miscarriage. (A report put in by Drs Putnam ami Henry showed that the miscarriage had not been caused by disease, though the report was non-committal on other heads.) Dr Putnam, replying to Mr Myers, said be could form no concltosiye opinion until the result of an analysis of the deceased’s stomach was available, about a week hence. If that analysis should be negative, it would eliminate poison from the possible causes —and in that case other circumstances would have to be considered. In such a case only inference could he drawn as to cause of deatn.

Ada Leeson, domestic servant, employed by Mrs Niccol lor live months past, deposed that on the 7th of this month she saw a Mrs Winter at Mrs Nic-col’s house. Witness knew the day previously that there was to be a visitor to lunch. Mrs Winter, with Mrs Niccol and her little bov, were alone in the house that afternoon, witness being out. In the afternoon the deceased’s daughter, who had come home from school a little before 4 o’clock, came for witness, and said Mi's Niccol had had a lit. Witness sent for Dr Chappie, and then hurried to the house, hound Mrs Niccol lying on Die bed. Mrs Niccol did not answer when witness spoke. Mrs Winter was present. She said Mrs Niccol had had a fit, and asked if such an occurrence had happened before. Witness replied, "I (to not think so.” Later on, Mrs Winter told witness that Mrs Niccol had become unwell. Mrs \Vinter said that Dr Chappie was a long while in coining. Mrs Winter went out and got Dr Putnam. Witness during the afternoon saw no bloodstains in the room, nor on articles of apparel. A Mrs Sewell and a Mrs .Lawrence were present later in the afternoon, and helped to' lay the body out. Witness last saw Mrs Niccol alive at about 1.30 on the day of her death; she had not complained that day. For a few weeks before that day she had been vomiting after her meals, but on the day of her death she did not vomit. She had not complained of illness that day. Could not say if tlio other clothes (produced) were on Mrs Niccol at the time of death; had never seen the towel (produced) previously. The room in which Mrs Niccol died was not her usual bedroom.

Madeline Wilmot Winter, married woman, of 57, Sydney street, said she had done a little nursing. Her last case was about five months ago. She did none now on account of ill-health. Witness had lunch with Mrs Niccol on the 7th inst. Had known deceased for some months previously. Had never been to her house before that c.iay, though she had been frequently invited. "Witness was never introduced to Mrs Niccol; met her in a tram-car and got into conversation. After that they seemed to meet continually, first one place and then the other. Witness first ascertained Mrs Niccol’s name either at the second or third time of meeting. Mrs Niccol had frequently been to witness’s house. The last occasion oh which Mrs Niccol visited witness was on the Friday previous to her death. She then, made witness promise to go up on the Thursday. * If Mrs Niccol died on the Thursday it must have been on the Wednesday that witness went to see her. Witness before that Wednesday did not know that Mrs Niccol was “ enceinte. Witness thought Dr Chappie was wrong. From witness’s own personal experience' she had reason to have little faith in doctors.' It was some time before her last visit that Mrs' Niccol told witness of Dr Chappie’s assertion. It was a few weeks beforehand. Witness probably saw Mrs Niccol two or three times after she told witness of Dr Chappie’s opinion. "Witness knew Mrs Niccol had been vomiting. Witness arrived at Mrs Niccol’s house at about midday on the day of her death. Deceased had a tea-gown on. She looked dull ; sho looked more haggard than she did on the previous Friday, on which day sho had looked fairly well. Witness had lunch with Mrs Niccol on October 7th at about 1 o’clock. After lunch witness went into the drawingroom. Mrs Niccol complained of feeling languid and tired. Afterwards they went upstairs to see some trimmings and ornaments. Mrs Niccol did some work to a cushion after witness arrived, but everything seemed to require an effort. After some time had been passed in that bedroom they went into the hack bedroom. That would be close on 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Almost as soon as they reached there Airs Niccol went hack to her own room and was away for a few minutes, leaving witness behind. She was away for about five or ten minutes. She went hack to the bath-room, and there was a sound of water being used. Then sho came back to the room in which witness was. At that time, witness thought, the maid had gone out. When Mrs Niccol came hack she complained, and said, “ I must lie down, I think.” Witness replied, Why do you not do so ?” Airs Niccol then looked cut of the -window, and called to the little hoy, “If anyone comes tell them mother’s too ill to see them.” Airs Niccol first sat on the. bed,

and then she lay down, saying, “I feel awful; I don’t know what is- tiro matter ! t wish I’d taken some whisky ; this is how I always feel after the sickness in the morning; a little whisky.passes it off.” Witness offered to get the whisky, but Mrs Niccol would not agree. Witness then with her hand put some water on Mrs Niccol’s face. Then witness went to the front bedroom to get a cloth with which to wet Mrs Niccol’s face. While out of the room witness heard a thud, and next the door slammed. Witness, going back with a towel, found Airs Niccol twisting about on the floor as if in a fit. Witness loosened her clothes as quickly as she could. Found that Mrs Niccol could not help herself. She mumbled something, but witness could not catch her voice. Witness struggled twice to get her' up on the bed, and at last managed it. Then witness went to another room and got some whisky. Mrs Niccol was in what seemed to be a faint. Witness put some whisky in Mi's Niccol’s mouth. She seemed to gurgle it down. Up to that time witness and Mrs Niccol wore alone in the house. Witness bathed her face, and then removed hc-r clothes from the waist downwards. Saw an appearance of blood. Witness picked up a towel and pushed it under Mrs Niccul; damped her head, and gave her more whisky. Then witness rushed downstairs and sent the little girl to ring for a doctor. When witness went downstairs she did not think Mi's Niccol was dead; witness had never seen a death occur. When witness had seat the girl away she went upstairs again, bathed Mrs Niccol’s head, came downstairs once more, and saw Miss Loosen in tho house. They went upstairs, and saw Mrs Niccol. Witness was very anxious about Dr Chappie not having arrived, and witness went out and found Dr Putnam in the street. Ho came to tlie house, and there found Mrs Niccol dead. The clothes produced were those witness removed from Mrs Niccol. Did not see any instrument m the room. Mrs Niccol had never in any way suggested a desire to procure abortion. Witness had never given Mrs Niccol any medicine or drug. Had never heard of her purchasing or using drugs, and did not know that she had been using any. Did not know of anything happening to Mrs Niccol to make her ill. Everything deceased ate at lunch witness partook of. Dr Chappie was recalled regarding the question front a juror as to whether Mrs Niccol on any occasion subsequent to September 15th expressed a wish to procure abortion. Dr Chappie, by permission of Mr Niccol (deceased’s husband),' withdrew bis previous objection to answer the juror’s question, and informed the Court that Mrs Niccol had expressed such a wish to witness. Tho Coroner: Did she mention any person’s name to whom idic might apply? —Yes, she did. And what name ? Witness, after having been informed by tho Coroner that .having gone into the witness-box lie would bare to make a clean breast of matters, replied, “ She said sho hadjoeen adv’sed to go to Mns Winter.” Mr Myers: This is not evidence in any w r av against any particular person. _ Tho Coroner: What did you say?—l .expressed my astonishment. I pointed out to her the danger to her life and the risk of such a procedure. Did you seem to' move her?—No ; sho seemed perhaps a little asharnccl, and made no further statements nor promises; but when I called to see her boy about September 24th I had occasion to put him under chloroform in order to reduce a fracture, and while he was under chloroform Airs Niccol said, regretfully, ‘‘ This is a judgment on me ; I will gO' on with it!” I understood from that that she would go on with her confinement. Was there anything further? —There wa.s no discussion. I went on with my work, and nothing more was said. Wo have heard that a considerable amount of bleeding took place before Mrs Niccol’s death Would it be possible for a miscarriage to commence in the ordinary way with this bleeding?— Yes; quite a common occurrence for bleeding to bo the first indication. Mr Myers: In case of accident?— Yes; and even without accident. The Coroner: If this bleeding began before death would it go on after death? —It would stop after death. A juror: When you saw Mrs Niccol on September 15th and she mentioned about going to see Mrs Winter, did slie lead you to believe that she knew Mi's Winter ? —She said she had been advised to go to Mrs Winter; she must have led me to believe that Mrs Winter was a stranger to her. Mr Myers: I think you gave evidence at last sitting, doctor, that on a certain clay there were symptoms of miscarriage pains?—These pains were intermittent. I saw no signs of miscarriage in any way. It was only on two occasions that reference was made to the subject ?—Only on two occasions. On the second occasion Airs Niccol bad not been to anybody?—Not as far'as I knew. She had not spoken about any method with you ?—She did say she had been advised to go to Airs Winter because Airs Winter could do it without giving her any pain. She said Airs Winter could do it with air*

- Mr Herd man: Y r ou saw Air Niccol after this interview. Did you iflention to him this conversation?—l did uot. How was that, doctor? —In the first place, it did not seem to me incumbent. I had been led to believe All's Niccol had abandoned the intention. Did you not think it rather strange that Airs Niccol should tell you what she proposed to do? —I don’t think it st ran go at all. In the first place, she suggested sho would have something done; and when I told her the dangers I thought she would take my advice. It was after I advised her that I met Air Niccol for the first time, and I had come to tiie conclusion before then that Airs Niccol had taken my advice. I had no reason to think she did not intend to take my advice. The Coroner: What did Airs Winter say when she called upon you? She said that Airs Niccol was dead, and started to give explanations of how she died. She made a long statement that took four or five minutes. Did sho endeavour to account for it in any way?—No. She said Alv« Niccol had been sick all the morning. I understood her to mean vomiting, but she did not say so specifically. Did she say anything more?—No ; she did not on that occasion. She called in the evening and said more. I questioned her as to the sequence of events? Have you tho record with you? —I have it at home. It is simply a description of events as they occurred. It does not show much light on the occurrence. The Coroner: Would you mind forwarding that tome?—Acs, sir; I will. Do you know what this practice of procuring abortion by air is? —I mustsay I never heard much about it. Tho Coroner: Also in the report we have a suggestion that there was air in some of the veins. Air Alyers: Not in the report, but in Dr Putnam’s evidence this morning. When Dr Chappie’s evidence was bairn* read over to him, Air Herdman raised the point that the purport of the remark of deceased to the doctor about “going on with if” might- be made clearer than it had been in evidence. Dr Chappie. I mus 1 - say I was very intent upon the chloroform and my patient. Airs Niccol said quite sufficient — considering the circumstances and surroundings—to convince me that she meant she would go on with the pregnancy. Tlie words might be capable of another interpretation, but I certainly did not take them in that way. On conclusion of Dr Chappie’s evidence, Airs Winter, recalled, said that when Dr Putnam came to see Airs Niccol he said, “ Net much life here.” Witness told him that Aim Niccol had come on unwell, and that she had been expecting a return of her period. Witness knew that- because the maid had said so, and attributed the faint' to that. Air Alyers: I think I ought to point out to you that the maid has said here to-day that Airs Niccol had told her some time before that she was going to make baby-clothes. Airs Winter: That surprises me; those words I gavo you were the very words she said to me ! I turned to- the girl when I made chc statement to Dr Putnam, and said, “She was expecting them, wasn’t she?” and the girl answered “Y"es!” The Coroner: Dr Chappie- gave evidence just now tlmo Airs Niccol about September tiio 18th, told him that - she had been advised to go to you for the purpose of procuring abortion ?—I know nothing about it ; no one could advise her to do that. AYell, did Airs Niccol come to you for that? —No! There is one thing just now, though, as you ask me! There was some time back —it must have been before sho ever came to my house at all —there was something came up about an affair of my own. She made a-re-mark, “So you are as clever as me.” I said, “Ale! I’d never use anything.” She said, “Well, I have succeeded.” That was during a conversation we had in the street about my health. I told her my trouble arose through a fall off my “bike,” and sho said something about a I angle-net or tangle-tent or tangle something—l don’t know what it was exactly —which slie had used. How many times did you speak to her before that conversation ?—That was tho second or third time; it was during the first month of my acquaintance. Did Airs Niccol ever pay you any money on any occasion? —None whatever. Nor promise to ? —No; she bad nothing to give me in any form whatever. Why have you taken so much interest in her condition? She was a comparative stranger, was she not? —She did not seem so; we seemed as if we had known each other for years. I would as soon have lost a sister as her. You can’t give any reason for talking about these things ?—I can’t give any reason at all. It only just came up in talking. Dr Henry, who assisted Dr Putnam to perform the post-mortem examination, gave evidence that there were no signs of considerable haemorrhage. Would not say, from the state of the towel produced, and having regard to the portion of the body from which it. had come, that the haemorrhage was considerable. There was gas in the pelvic blades and the vena, cava ; could not swear to any gas being present in the

heart. The ar-vmillation was conducted about twenty soul's after death occurred. LbiPd not give an absolute reason for until an analysis of the stomach had been completed. Tlie appearances were not inconsistent with that of death due to entry of air or gas into tho veins; witness could riot say more than that. There was no evidence to show that the placenta was separated by artifical means. ;If air had been introduced witness would not expect to find the air at a post mortem unless the examination was made within a few hours after death. Alalcolm Niccol, husband of deceased, said ho was away at the date of his wife’s death. Knew in August last that Airs Niccol was enceinte. She told him. bho was not ill for the first month, hut as the result of a trip taken to Nelson late in August and early in September she became ill. About September 18th All's Niccol sent to Dr Chappie, who told her miscarriage was imminent. Some days later tho doctor told witness the danger had passed off, and then witness went away to Auckland. Witness never saw Airs Winter before lie saw her in the Court taat day. Had never heard of her until this case. Sho \> as a very unlikely person for Aiis Niccol to bo acquainted with. Aliss Lceson, re-called, said she heard no conversation between Airs W inter and the doctor regarding blood. Witness did not .at any time tell Airs W7inter that Airs Niccol had been expecting a period. When Airs Winter said that had happened witness was surprised. At this stage (,5.45 p.m.) the further hearing of the ease was adjourned until Monday next, at 2.30 p.m., pending completion of the analysis of the stomach.