INQUEST AT TEVIOT.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 219, 20 January 1874, Page 6

INQUEST AT TEVIOT.

On the 17th December last an inquest was held at the Coal Creek Hotel, Teviot, before W, L. Simpson, R.M. and Coroner, and & jury, upon the body o t Agnes Smith, who died in child-bed. The inquest was held at the desire of the husband of deceased, and of one of the surgeons who attended her. From the evidence given at the inquest, it would appear that Gideon Smith, deceased’s husband, called the assistance of one or two of the neighbouring females, and also of Dr HoneywilL After Dr Honeywill had been in the house for about three hours, Mr Smith, doubting his skill in dealing with the case, and at the solicitation of several of the female# present, proceeded to the Dtlnstan (over thirty miles’ distance) for the assistance of Dr Thomson. That gentleman, it appears, came as soon as it was possible, and twenty minutes after his arrival succeeded in delivering the deceased. In giving evidence, Dr Thomson was of opinion that it was a difficult case for unskilled persons to undertake, but not otherwise, and expressed surprise that any surgeon should have left the patient in such a state. If proper treatment bad been used the patient would not have been so much exhausted. From inquiries made by him, it appeared that the patient had been suffering from the previous evening. Ho visited the woman more than once, but she never rallied from the exhausted state he had found her in. Dr Stirling also gave evidence. He had made a post mortem examination, during which he discovered serious internal injuries, which might have been caused naturally, but he thought more likely were caused by improper treatment, and by using undue violence. Dr Honeywill stated in his evidence that he thought it was likely the injuries were caused by improper treatment, but that such treatment, if any, had been applied before he was called at all. He also said he left the patient, and advised Mr Smith to get other medical assistance, because he (Honeywill) was interfered with by the women who were present. The evidence of several of the females who were present was also taken, and it was strongly against Dr Honeywill. The jury returned the following verdict That Agnes Smith, on the 15th day of December, 1873, at Coal Creek, Mount Benger, came to her death by injuries received while in child-labour, which injuries the jurors are of opinion were produced by the unskilful, careless, and reckless treatment of Dr Thomas William Quelch Honeywill, who deposes he is a member of the College of Surgeons, London, and of the Apothecaries’ Company ; that during the night of the 10th, and the morning of the 11th December, 1873, the said Thomas William Quelch Honeywill feloniously and unlawfully did kill and slay the same Agnes Smith.” Honeywill was accordingly arrested on the coroner’s warrant, and committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court, to be holden at Dunedin. Bail was applied for, and allowed in his own recognisance of £2OO, and two sureties of £2OO each.

Arrow town has been gazetted a municipality. Subscriptions have been received to the Surat belief Fund from the country as follows Cromwell, £10; Alexandra, £l3; do., second subscription, £1 10s. ; Tokom?liriro, £3O ; do., second subscription, £lO I4s. ; Mount:lda, £24 Is. ; Dunstan, £ll 9s. ; Clutha Ferry, £7 10s. 6d. ; do., Dramatic Club, £2 ; Queenstown, £lO 10s. ; Timaru, £l2 ss. ; boxburgh, £2 6s, 6d.; biverton, £B. The small amount from Cromwell is hardly creditable to the'district