THE WANGANUI ABORTION CASE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9318, 12 June 1891, Page 2

THE WANGANUI ABORTION CASE.

THE INQUEST. (PER PRESS ASUhcIAn^A. Wanganui, June 11. The adjourned inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Emily Kate Spicer was held at the Courthouse, com. mcucing at 11 a.m. to-day, before Mr E. N. Liffiton, Acting-Coroner, and a jury of six, of which Mr A. D. Willis was chosen foreman.

Sergeant-Major Anderson conducted the case en behalf of the police, aod Mr David Hogg appeared to watch the proceedings on behalf of Mrs Peyman, who was present in charge of the gaoler.

The first witness examined was Annie Cookbnrn, mother of the deceased, who deposed to her daughter having been in the Lunatic Asylum in Wellington In 18SS for five months. On the 7th of June she accompanied Sergeant-Major Anderson to Mrs Japp’s, and saw him take possession of three bottles which were in her dmzghter's box. On her return to Martdn on the Bth she found a letter from Mrs Peyman telling her that her daughter was ill at her house and wanted to see her.

Mr A. J. Parsons deposed to deceased having been in his employ a- servant, and to her good conduct. On Tuesday, 26th May, she complained of being ill and left his house, and on tbo following day Harry Meehan called, and asked to see her, bnt be told him she bad left.

William Kinuiard, cabman, deposed taking a female from Mr Parson’s to Mrs Jnpo’s.

The latter deposed to a female calling at her boardinghouse on the 26th after 4 p.m. requiring lodgings. ‘ Witness baring no vacancy, the girl went away, leaving her luggage, saying she would send for it, but she never did so.

Henry Chao. Meehan deposed that ha had kept company with the deceased for 5 months, and had been nndaly intimate with her. On the 30th May he was sent for to Mis Peyman's, and found her there very ill. He intended to have married her in October next. He went for Dr James on Sunday night, and sat up with deceased every night until the end. He did not know her con. dition or he would have married her at once.

After the adjournment, the principal evidence given was that of Dr James, who said be bad his suspicions when he was called to attend deceased. She confessed to him that an operation had been performed on her by M.s Peyman. She at first said she was a married woman, bnt afterwards admitted that she was single. Dr Tripe took her dving deposition. He had made a post-mortem examination, assisted by three other doctors, and as a result was of opinion that death was due to peritonitis, caused by pnuctnre of the womb by an instrument. The puncture could not have been self-inflicted. Deceased told him Mrs Peyman charged her £5. The inquest at this stage was adjourned until 10,30 to-morrow morning.