ALLEGED MALPRACTICE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7187, 11 June 1891, Page 3

ALLEGED MALPRACTICE.

The Inquest. [Pkb Pbishb Aftsnci&Tiov.l WANGANUI, Juns ll* The adjourned inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Emily Kate Spicer was held in the Courthouse, commencing at 11 a.m. to-day, before E. N. Liffiton, Esq., Acting Coroner, and a Jury of six, of which Mr A. D. Will's was chcaen Foreman. Sergfc.-Major Anderson conducted the case on behalf of the police ; Mr D. Hogg appeared to watch the proceedings on behalf of Mrs Peyman, who ia at present in charge of the gaoler. On the application of learned counsel, the witnesses were ordered out of Court. Annie Cockburn, of Marton, deposed that deceased was her daughter by aformer marriage, and was twenty-two yars of age, and a domestic servant. She last saw her alive in the middle of March at Mr Parsons', where she waa employed. She told witness she was engaged to be married to Harry Meehan. The deceased had been in the lunatic asylum at Wellington for five months in 1888. On June 7 witness accompanied SergeantMajor Anderson to Mrs Jupp'a board-ing-house, and saw- him take posßeseion of three of the bottleß (produced) from her box. The first intimation she received of the deceased'sillness was a telegram from Dr Innes oo> June 4to the effect that she was dying. Witness arrived at Wanganui on June 5. Rsturned to Marton on June 8. She found a letter from Mrs Peyman, stating that her (witness') daughter Kate was at her house ill ; she had left her situation and intended to pay her mother a visit. She called on Mrs Peyman to deliver a message, and waa seized with pain in her bowels. The writer prevailed on her to stay for the night. She remained a week, being unable to leave her bed, and would like to see her mother. Mr A. J. Parsons, eettler at St John'e Hill, deposed to the exceptionally respectable conduct of the deceased. About the beginning of. the present year she commenced going to dancing assemblies. Witneßs returned from an Australia* trip on Sunday, May 24. Deceased was in good health, buton the Tuesday complained of being ill. She subsequently left. He never saw her again alive. On Wednesday, May 27, saw Harry Meehan in his own grounds, who, in reply to a question, said he had come to see Miss Spicer. Witness told him that the deceased had left. William Kinnaird, cabman, deposed to taking a woman from Mr Parson's to Mrs Jupp's. The latter deposed to a female calling at her boarding-houße on May 26,. after 4 p.m., requiring lodgings. Witness having no vacancy the girl went away, leaving her luggage, and saying she would send for it j but she never did so. Henry Charles Meehan: Was keeping company with deceased for five months previous to her death. Met her on May 24 about 6.30 p.m., and went as far as the bridge. There she was attacked with a. cold shivering. Took her home. Before bidding her good night made an appointment for the following Tuesday evening. Kept the appointment, but she did not. The following night went to Mr Parson's and found she had left. Went to the boarding-house in Guyton Btreet, owing to a conversation he had with thedeceased; but she was not there. Thought she had gone home to Marton. Received a letter on Saturday, May 30, but..subse>. quently destroyed it at her suggestion. The contents, as far as he remembered, were to the following effect :— "I want to see you very particularly. Come to Mrs Peyman'a house. Knook at the front door at seven o'clock.— -I remain yours truly, Kate Specie." At the time indicated he went to the house and saw deceased, who looked as white as aghoßt. Witness said, " Good God,, what's up Kate? " She said she had had.amiscarriage. He did not know that sha.waa in the family way before that. Witness'intimaoy with deceased was of such, a nature as was likely to lead to such a sesult. Next saw deceased on Sunday, May SI. She was in bed in Mrs Peyman's house and seemed cheerful, but ia paio. Witness went for Dr Innes,and aatup, withdeoeased that nightj and every night afterwards till her death. Had no idea that she was ever affected in her mind. She had no appearano» of the same. He was engaged to be married to deceased about October next, sad she had no reason to believe that witness did not intend to marry her. He had no idea way she went to Mrs Peyman' e. Had witness known her position he waa prepared to marry her at once. The Court tore adjourned to 2.30 p.m.