Mysterious Death at Hawera.

Opunake Times, Volume IV, Issue 181, 27 March 1896, Page 3

Mysterious Death at Hawera.

An enquiry into the of Maggie Brown, who died at the Eoyal Hotel on Tuesday morning, was held on Wednesday before Mr Major, coroner, and the following jury Messrs N. Newcomb (foreman), S. Hooper, W. H. Hutson, Cullinan, E. R. E. Leneham, and W. Morrissey. Sergeant Slattery conducted the enquiry. Dr Sloan stated that he was called to see the deceased on Tuesday morning about 6 o’clock, and found her in bed, in a comatose condition, from which he made efforts, which he detailed. Deceased improved slightly as a result of the efforts, but after a while relapsed into her former state. She died about 9 o’clock. Witness made a post mortem examination of deceased. The presence of opium in the contents of the stomach and bladder was not established by chemical tests. There was no sign of pregnancy. To the foreman —All was done to save life that could be done. The only sign that deceased may have been suffering from acute toothache was that her teeth were had. To Sergeant Slattery—On arrival in deceased’s room found a bottle (produced) containing traces of tincture of opium. To coroner—Four grains have been known to cause death. The bottle produced would contain about 82 grains. Dr Westenra stated that he was called to see deceased at about 7 a.m on Tuesday, and gave evidence as to efforts made to restore respiration, until death supervened at 9 a.m. Everything possible was done to save life. His opinion from what he saw was tint death had resulted from opium-poisoning. Henry William Pike, yardman at Eoyal Hotel, stated that on 18th of March the deceased asked him to get her some laudanum, as she had toothache. She had had some before. He got the laudanum at Mr Fake’s, chemist’s, and gave it to the deceased, who took it and put it in the diningroom on a cheffonier. He signed the chemist’s book when he purchased the laudanum. The bottle was labelled “ Poison.” Ta a juror—l was aware it was poison I was getting. To the foreman—Deceased did not complain of toothache after the 18th. Ezekiel Fake, chemist, stated that he recollected the last witness purchasing opium from him on the 18ih March. The bottle produced was most likely the one which he had given. Pike did not say who it was for; he signed the book. Witnesses’ own label was always placed on bottles.

Lizzie Herlihy, cook at the Royal Hotel, stated that she retired to bed about 9.80 on the night of the 23rd March. Deceased and witness slept in the same room, and deceased went into her room about 10.80. Deceased was in the room a while before going to bed. Witness did not notice particularly what she did, but she tore up some letters. She then got into bed and blew out the light. About a quarter to five on the following morning witness-heard her moaning and got up and lit the candle. Called to deceased but could get no answer, and then called Mrs - O’Driscoll, saying there was something the matter with Maggie and to come* down. Mrs O'Driscoll at once came to the room, and the doctor was sent for. Before the latter arrived, witness and Mrs O’Driscoll bathed deceased’s head and gave her brandy. Deceased never spoke from the time she moaned to the time she died. Witness had seen nothing to cause her to think deceased contemplated committing suicide. She often said she wished she was dead, but this was in presence of others, and witness took no notice of it. Had always found her a quiet respectable girl. To a juror—Deceased was not able to drink the brandy. To the foreman—Had often seen the laudanum in the deceased’s room ; she said it was for toothache. Mrs O’Driscoll gave evidence corroborative of that given by last witness as to trying to restore deceased. She found under deceased’s pillow a photo and a letter. The photo was of her grandmother, and the letter produced was addressed to her grandmother. Also found the bottle produced, and knew deceased must have taken it, because she had seen it nearly full a few days before. Had spoken to deceased about the poison, and she had replied that she knew it was poison and knew how to use it. Deceased always seemed a quiet respectable girl. . The jury returned the following verdict: “ That the deceased, Maggie Brown, committed suicide by taking an overdose of tincture of opium on the night of the 24th March, 1896, at the Royal Hotel, Hawera.”—Star.