YOUNG WOMAN'S DEATH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2924, 30 March 1910, Page 9

YOUNG WOMAN'S DEATH.

INQUEST ADJOURNED. On Saturday morning, at the Morgue, Mr H. Y. Widdowson, coroner, commenced an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Janet .M'Coll, a young single woman, who, after having given birth to twins, died early on Friday morning. The death occurred in the house of a Mrs Annie Durston, of 10 Havelock street, Mornington, and Mr B. S. Irwin appeared on her behalf at the inquest.. Sub-inspector Phair represented the police, and Mr J. H. Moller was foreman of the jury. Dugald M'Coll, miner, living at Waitahuna Gully, identified the body as that of his sister Janet M'Coll, a single woman. He last saw ber alive on the evening of the 24th inst. (Thursday) at Mrs Durston's house. He and his sister lived together at Waitahuna Gully. Deceased acted as his housekeper. The greater part of his time was spent away from home, and his sister was then by herself in the house. He was generally at home on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. His sister left his home one Saturday morning (th<s 12th inst.), and another of his sisters (Sadie M'Coll) went from Dunedin and took her place as housekeeper. Pie first learned of deceased's departure from this latter sister when he returned home on the Saturday evening. Between Saturday (12th inst.) and Monday last (21st inst.T, when he came te Dunedin, he had not heard from deceased. Being somewhat anxious about her, witness came to Dunedin, and secured her address from a sister in North-East Valley. The latter visited deceased on the day she cot the. address (Wednesday, 23rd insfc.k_and he called r.'i the same day. after she had been there. He saw deceased again on Thursday evening. ' ■ '

The Sub-inspector i Yon were-surprised to find her so .very ill?—Most assuredly. She had been in good health prior to that?—Yes. .

Did she appear to be any worse on Thursday night when you- saw her?—She seemed be better. , Tie heard of b«? death at 75 o'clock en Friday tjtorning. Ho reached the house about that time, hav'hg been sent for with the information . that deceased was very ill. His sister Lizzio roused him. She had a cab waiting, and he and his two' sisters went at once to Mrs Durston's house together. They were, met with the information that their sister• was dead. At that time there were in the house Mrs *Durston. his sisters (Sadie and Lizzie),' and himself. What did you say to Mrs Durston? DVI you ask when your sister died?—Yes. She said about an hour before we arrived. Sh« said she had called in a doctor (Dr Fitchett) be f "re my sister died. Did you ask anythinor as to the cause of death? —Yes-. She said it was heart failure, or something to that effect.

The Coroner: Did you not . ask what caused this illness?—No. I did not. The Rub-inspector: Did no one else ask her?—Not in my hearing - . Did your sisters ask her? —Not in my hearinsr. They may have done so. Did yon make any inouiries before the death?—Mrs Durston told me that mv sister's was weak and Tier throat sore. Rhe said sh« had had influenza.

Dirl. she at any time refer to anything els« being the cause of the illness?—No. You have heard since that something else was the matter?—Yes

Was no reference made to that by Mrs Duvston?—No.

The Coroner: Were you aware of her condition when she wen| away.—No. none- of us. Wo were all vew much surmised. Did M'-s Duvston t°ll yon when deceased came to h>- houp°?-—Yes": the T"e<sday after sh° arrivnd in Dunedin—th» 15tb. ' Where hod she staved in the meantime? Wo do not know. iWwo of us knows. We hnvr. not been able to find Did she arrive at 'iV'-s Dtirfton's nlaoo in ">■ eab. or did she Wfl-lk? —I •do not know. Had yon ever hea.rd of Mrs Du.rston beforfi?—j\j oj J never n ad. Did vott ever hear that yonr sister was en (raged +o be manned, or was keeninc comn«nv with anybody?—No, not to my knowled n-O.

The Rub-inspector intimated that he d'd not pronofto, at that stage to call any fnrthf>l- evidence.

. Mr; Irwin ftrv witness): Did vou see anv req.son-for c*.l!inp- a doctor when voii: werij with;your- siete''-?—No: she- s^ornwh+o he imnrovinp-. I had every confidence in the nurse and my sister peemed better. Didn't she ask vou to up the next day. <*n<il s ffrapho/rthore h°''ntr there vou havo f-%mr> rnncir.?—Vos

Lizzie staved ™<i vuVht slent witr deceased -,t Mvs.TWe ton's ?-rvYe«: that v-o lasfc ni<rh*. At that time, I think, vour sister knew

what the real trouble was?—l do not know. YotPknow now the nature of the trouble. When did you first learn of it?—l know nothing more than hearsay—as the general public knows now. Is it not true that Mrs Durston sent for. your sister and told her the true position, and your sister said that that could not be true "of any sister of hers?—l believe so. Mr Irwin: I want to show, sir, that Mrs Durston made no secret of the actual dition of the girl. To witness: She did not tell you the true cause of the illness? — She never mentioned it to me. but I believe she told my sisters something. Prior to the death you had been told something of this in general conversation with your sisters, but you declined to believe ii:?—Yes. ■ So far as. you, know .Mrs Durston did everything she could for your sister? —Yes. She seemed very kind, and I had confidence in her. Deceased told me she had beei very kind to her. Do you know whether Mrs Durston, when she found out what was the matter, communicated at once with the relatives of. deceased? -ii i Thft Coroner: Further evidence will be called. Mr Irwin, and that can be made clear then. Mr Irwin: Yes, sir; but it is just, a little awkward that the proceedings should stand over at this stacce. Mrs Durston is closely interested in this case, and unless her position is made clear people may be inclined to suggest things .against her. TWe innnest will be continued in th» Magisti-ate's Court next Friday .at 2.30 p.nr