THE ALLEGED ILLEGAL OPERATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LV, Issue 9969, 2 August 1893, Page 2

THE ALLEGED ILLEGAL OPERATION.

TBS POLICE v. McGOVERN.

AN UNWILLING WITNESS,

In the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, before Mr J. C. Martin, R.M., Caroline McGovern was charged with bating performed an illegal operation upon one Isabella Guinan on June 23rd. Mr Skerrett appeared for tbo accused, and Mr Poynton appeared to watch the interests of Elizabeth Colman, one of the witnesses.

The Magistiate explained to Mr Poynton that he could not allow him to address the Court, but that he himself would explain moat carefully to the witness that she was not obliged to answer any questions likely to incriminate her.

Elizabeth Colman deposed that she was wife of Michael Colman and sister of Isabella Guinau. She recollected going to Mrs McGcvcrn’e house with her sister, but oould not recall the dale. [Witness first objected to answer the question, bat, on Hia Worship ruling that slid must, replied a* above.] Her visit was some time during this year, t'hfl oould not tell in what month. [Witness refused to answer for what purpose she made the visit.] She visited the house while it was daylight, but could not say whether it was in the morning or in the evening.

Inspector Pender, who conducted the prosecution, stated that he bad been deceived in the action of the witness, as he was told that she had promised to tell the truth, be would therefore ask fora remand.

His Worship said that there was oao course which might have been taken by the prosecution, and that was to lay tbo whole affiir before tbs Crown authorities and if an Indemnity oould be obtained for the witness Colman, she would then be obliged to answer all questions. Mr Skerret objected to the remand unless farther evidence of the complicity of his client was taken. ChleLUeteotlve Campbell deposed that when he arrested Mrs McGovern, she asked who Isabella Guinan and Mrs Colman were. Witness found an instrument in the pocket of a dress banging on the wall In Mo* Goveru’a room, and was also shown by Dr Teare the remains of the body of a child. 3 he case was then remanded until 2 o'clock, POLICE v. GUINAN. The Inspector next called the case of the police against Isabella Ouinau. Mr Coates asked for a remand until the previous case had been heard, but the Magistrate decided to go on. Detective Campbell deposed that ho caw the accused at her lodgings in Cuba street on July 26. He told her who be was, and that he was Investigating the oass of an alleged illegal operation. She made a statement to witness, which be took down m writing and she signed, (Statement produced.) 'A ittoss oal'ed on Mrs Colman on the following morning and saw accused there. Mrs Colman said, ‘ What statement la this you have made to Detective Campbell? ’ Accused replied, 4 1 have said nothing but the truth, and you know It.’ Witness arrested the accused subsequently, and she oatd that her statement was perfectly tree, and she had nothing further to say. On being brought to the watohhonao she recognised Mrs McGovern, and said, 1 that Is the woman.'

Mrs Constance Hall deposed that she was a widow, living at the Girls’ Friendly Society Lodge. She knew tho accused, and recollected seeing her about a quarter past 9 o’clock on the evening of Jane 2Uh. Accused was then lu bod ond complaining of pain. She said sho had been ill for some time. She did not say what was the matter. Witness stayed with her a while and then went away. Oq coming back iu about ftu hour accused was muoh worse. Witness was then called away, and did not return until about 2 o’clock. She found accused la a very bad condition, and shortly afterward sho was d Uvered. Or Teare was then called and took away the child. Afterwards accused seemed much easier. In a subsequent conversation accused made an admission to witness. Sho also made the same statement to Dr Teare, but said that she had forgotten the namoof the woman. Accused also stated that her sister, Mrs Colman, had been with her, John Teare deposed that ho was a duly* qualified medical practitioner. Ho was called on the morning of June 24 to attend the accused. The case was a very serious cno. Witness suspected that the girl’d situation bad been brought about by improper means. Inspector Pender stated that this was the case. The accuse i was then committed to take her trial at the next criminal session of the Supremo Court. Bail was fixed In two sureties of £75, and accused in a like sum.

POLICE V. McGOVERN.

GUINAN REFUSES TO GIVE EVL DENCE.

Tho case of tho police v. Caroline McGc vern was resumed at 2 o’clock.

Tho first witness was Isabella Qainan, who deposed that she was a single girl, and had never to her knowledge seen the accused before. Witness objected to answer whether she remembered making a statement to Detective Campbell.

Inspector Pender, at this point, asked for a remand, end stated that he bad been misled agaiu, as the witness had told him during the adjournment that she would tell the ’truth.

In reply to His Worship, witness stated thatot e would not answer unless she got a pardon. Tho Inspector said that he had been iaktn by surprise. He did not know whit action ho should take with reference to Mrs Col man, aad would therefore ask for a remand for a weak.

Mr £kcrrett objected, and, after consideration, r Mania asked the Inspector to step into the witness box. Inspector Pender deposed that an information had been laid against the accuse l ; that he was satisfied a felony had been conn milted. He bad had certain statements made to biin by witnesses, and had been dist nctly misled. 001/ 10 minutes before the Court opeued the grl Guinea had promise 1 to tell the truth. His Worship granted a remand until next Tuesday.

UNION STEAM SHIP COMPANY.

The maoaging director of tho r ’moa Steam Ship Company has issued the following clicular :

It is with regret that the dreotora of tho company have to announce that, in conse? quenoe of the shrinkage of trade resulting from the a vere commercial depression in'Aust>a fa, they are compelled to effect economies in expenditure wherever possible. Since ISQO tbo business of the company has no* shown satisfactory results, and dividends have gradually declined. Last year the profit on working account was so small that it was found necessary to encroach upon tb-t insurance fund to enable the payment of a dividend at the rate of 6 per cent per annum. There being no immediate prospect of any genera! improvement in trade, the directors have no option tut to follow the example of shipowners in Austrai lia,and ask their employees to aooepfc reduced rates of pay in cases where the wages paid warrant a reduction. The first step in this direction must uaturaliy be taken with the crews of the company’s steamers, which form by far the most numerous class of tboir employees. The directors are of opinion that the circumstances of this Colony are not so unfavourable as feo necessitate at once so sweeping a reduction as has been made in Australia, where wages of seamen, firemen and trimmers have been reduc'd by £2 per month; and they also leoogoise that membership of the Mutual Benefit Society, and its accompanying obligations, should be taken iota consideration in connection with the question of wages. The present rate of wages of seamen was fixed in 1884, when trade generally was brisk and prosperous. The Increase then granted has been ecjiyed for nine years now, although for a considerable portion of that period the profits of the shipowners have been steadily decreasing. The directors, therefore, feel warranted in asking their crews to accept a reduction in wages of £1 per month, or one-half tbo reduction that has been established in Auai tralia. This wilt make the wages in the company’s coastal steamers and the Inter* colonial boats trading with New Zsalaud : —Seamen, £6 ; trimmers, £6 ; firemen, £3 ; greasers, £8 ;’and they also propose to'fix the rate of overtime at Is per hour. Hitherto the rate of overtime ja'the company's employ has been Is 6d per hour, all though the rate in Australia for the last tbrep years has only been Is per hour, so that during that period the company's men have been enj»yicg an advance of fid psr hour over the crewi m Australian steamers. Tho directors feci it is due to their men to give reasonable notice of the proposed change, and have there f ore decided not to bring the reduced r.tes of pay into operation till Ist September This will give the men ample time to weigh gibe proposal carefully, and to fully comidtr the position ia connection with the circumstances ruling both lu this and the neighbouring colonies. Tho directors earnestly hope that the men will recognise that the pretent proposal is tendered imperative by the unsatisfactory state of business. They also wish their em ployoes to understand that should trade so improve as to result in satisfactory returns being secured, it is not their intention to make auy further reduction.

Jamkh Mills, Managing Director.