AN UNLAWFUL ACT.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 3 February 1923, Page 7

AN UNLAWFUL ACT.

ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. (Per Press Association—Copyright.) GISBORNE, Feb. 2. After several adjournments, the case was taken at the Magistrate’s Court in which Frances Quinn was charged that about December 15 last, at Gisborne, she did commit an unlawful act on Eileen O’Donoghue, which unlawful act did cause the . death of O’Donoghue, thus committing manslaughter. Henry Auguste Martin, a farmer at Ohahanui, said that the deceased was employed by him as a general help during his wife’s absence, and witness was intimate with the girl. Witness knew the girl was pregnant when she left for Gisborne. The witness refused to answer several questions, but admitted that he handed the girl a letter containing a cheque which she delivered at Gisborne. Andrew Joseph Sheerin said in consequence of a message he spoke to accused, stating that a cousin of witness had got a girl into trouble, and he wanted to know if accused could do anything. Accused called two days later and said she would do her best. This would cost £4O. Witness met O’Donoghue a few days later and told O’Donoghue to ring up accused. Other witnesses deposed as to the movements of O’Donoghue from Ma. tin’s place to a hotel at Gisborne, thence to the private boarding house, from which a taxi-driver stated he took a young woman, answering O’Donoghue’s description, to accused’s house. Martha Matilda Parsons, a married woman, sister of the accused, stated that a young woman giving the name of Mrs Duncan, and answering the description of O’Donoghue met her in the street, and asked where she could get board and Parsons offered accommodation, and within a few hours of her arrival a miscarriage took place. A doctor was called in, and he ordered the young woman’s removal to the hospital, but Parsons stated that the girl refused to go. Four days later the girl went to Napier by the Arahura, giving the name of Duncan. Deceased’s name was not on the passenger list, but she was met on arrival in Napier by a taxi driver who knew her, and he took her to her mother’s home. Shortly after arrival in Napier, the woman was ordered to the hospital where she was operated on but subsequently died. Three Napier doctors, who attended the deceased, and two of whom were present at the post mortem, expressed themselves as being strongly of the opinion that death was the result of acute peritonitis and septicaemea, following induced abortion. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial.