YOUNG GIRL’S DEATH

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20247, 16 July 1937, Page 8

YOUNG GIRL’S DEATH

WITNESSES OBSTRUCTIVE. QUESTIONS NOT ANSWERED. FEAR OF INCRIMINATION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Friday. “ 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 aged 22 who had been employed as a cashier. The coroner, Mr F. K. Hunt, found that death had occurred at the Auckland Hospital on May 15 as a 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. W. Gilmour, pathologist at the Auckland Hospital, had expressed the opinion that death was caused through septic abortion. Yvonne Mackie was the first witness called to-day. Mr Walsh: Where is your husband in business? Witness: I refuse to answer. Mr Walsh: Why do you refuse to answe’r? Witness: Because it may incriminate me. Refusal to Answer. Mr Walsh: Did you know a girl named Miss that question. Mr Walsh: Why?—Because it might incriminate me. Mr 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 house she had nothing to do with them and 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. Mr Walsh: Did you tell Detective Murch that girls had been to your house and you had looked after them and cooked for them? Witness: I refuse to answer more. Chemists’ Evidence. Leslie Ward Mackie (40) said he qualified as a chemist at Auckland at the age of 22. 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 and also refused to answer a question when he had last seen the girl depicted in a photograph produced. Mr. Walsh; Did deceased visit your house by appointment in April. Witness: I refuse to answer. (Mr. Walsh: 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 a letter dated May 17 addressed “ Dear Les ” which Mr. Walsh stated he had found in his house. The letter read to the court referred to the condition of a girl. Coroner’s Verdict. 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 d.d. In a search of the house the police had been unable to find any evidence relating to tile death of deceased. In Mrs Mackie's handbag was found tlie letter already produced. Mrs Mackie said the girl iiad brought it to the house that day and she was going Lo give it to her husband.

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