DEATH OF YOUNG WOMAN

Southland Times, Issue 23254, 17 July 1937, Page 11

DEATH OF YOUNG WOMAN

Close Examination Of Witnesses

REFUSAL TO ANSWER QUESTIONS

(United Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 16. “Inquiries have been continued to date, but we have not been able to connect any person with causing the girl’s death,” said Detective Murch at the conclusion of the inquest into the death of a young woman of 22 years who had been employed as a cashier. The coroner (Mr F. K. Hunt) found that death occurred in the Auckland Hospital on May 15 as the result of septic abortion. When the inquest was resumed today evidence was given by a chemist, Leslie Ward Mackie, and his wife, Yvonne Mackie. Both refused to answer certain questions .on the grounds of possible incrimination. Their interests were watched by Mr M. Robinson, while Detective-Sergeant Walsh appeared for the police. At the opening of the hearing earlier in the week, Dr Gilmour, pathologist of the Auckland Hospital, had expressed the opinion that death was caused through septic abortion. Yvonne Mackie was the first witness called today. Detective Walsh: Where is your husband in business?

Witness: I refuse to answer. Why do- you refuse to answer? Because it may incriminate me. Did you know a girl named Miss ?—l refuse to answer that question.

Why?—Because it might incriminate me. Detective Walsh: On May 19 Detective Murch saw you at your home and told you he had information that Miss , who died in hospital the previous Saturday, had been an inmate of your house five weeks before. Do you agree with that? Witness declined to answer. Witness said she did ‘not remember Detective Murch telling her that a man had telephoned on two or three occasions about a girl’s condition, and refused to answer whether she told the detective that if any illegal operations took place at her home she had nothing to do with them, or whether she had told the detective that her husband sent girls to the house, and that whatever he did to them was none of her business.

Detective Walsh: Did you tell Detective Murch that girls had been to your home, and you had looked after them and cooked for them? Witness: I refuse to answer.

Leslie Ward Mackie, aged 40 years, said he qualified as a chemist at Auckland at the age of 22 years. He had no shop or place of business. He refused to answer on the grounds that it might incriminate him whether he was employed by any chemist at the present time. He also refused to answer a question when he had last seen the girl depicted in the photograph (produced). Detective Walsh: Did the deceased visit your house by appointment in April? Witness: I refuse to answer. You know this girl died at the public hospital.—l do not know. The Coroner: But you have heard it.—Yes. '

Replying to the coroner, witness said he had never been known as Dr Mackie.- , •<;' , Witness said he had never seen the letter dated May 17 addressed “Dear Les,” which Detective Walsh stated he had found in the house. The letter, read to the court, referred to the condition of a girl. The Coroner: How do you earn your living?—Witness: I refuse to answer that.

Detective Murch gave evidence that he visited the house on May 19. Mrs Mackie told him she was dominated by her husband, and was not allowed to question anything he did. In a search of the house the police had been unable to find any evidence relating to the death of the deceased. In Mrs Mackie’s handbag was found the letter already produced. Mrs Mackie said the girl had brought it to the house that day, and she was going to give it to her husband.

The coroner found that the cause of death was septic abortion.