THE WELLINGTON ILLEGAL OPERATION CASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2437, 28 November 1900, Page 23

THE WELLINGTON ILLEGAL OPERATION CASE.

A CHARGE OF MURDER. WELLINGTON, November 26. At the Supreme Court, Mary Henderson, a middle-aged woman, was charged with the murder of Mary Alice Winifred Luke, at Wellington, on August 28, by the performance of an illegal operation. Mi Bell prosecuted on behalf of the Crown. The prisoner, who pleaded not guilty in a strong voice, was defended by Mr Wilford. The case is the outcome of the finding of the coroner's jury which inquired into the circumstances surrounding the girl's death, her depositions, which incriminated accused, having been taken prior to her demise. After certain evidence had been tendered concerning the depositions, Mr Wilford argued that the prisoner was not given sufficient notice of the intention to take these depositions. Moreover, the caption or title of the depositions was not in the form prescribed by statute, neither the day, place, time, or year of the taking of the depositions being stated. Mr Justice Edwards said it seemed to him plain' that notice of the. intention to take the deposi-' tions was -not served upon- prisoner in the •way required. The CroAvn prosecutor thenstated that under the ' circumstances he would not tender the depositions. Evidence was given by'Dr Fyffe, who deposed' that on examining three instruments, produced he found on each one large numbers of putrefaotive organisms. A person would run a very great risk who was operated lon by instruments' not aseptic. The court adjourned at 5 p.m. till to-morrow morning, when Dr Fyffe will be cross- | examined. The jury were locked up for the night. The case will probably last till Wednesday.