THE FATALITY AT KARORI.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1122, 9 May 1911, Page 4

THE FATALITY AT KARORI.

. 1) . INQUEST OPENED YESTEEDAY. Before Mr. W. G. Biddell, SM., an inquest was opened at Stirling Terrace, Karori, yesterday afternoon, touching the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Maginnity, widow of the late Mr. John Maginnity. Deceased, who was G6 years of age, died on Sunday morning, tho supposition being that tho fatality was the result of taking a poisonous mixture in mistake for cough mixture. Ida Maginnity, daughter of deceased, stated in evidence that she had last seen her mother alive at 11.30 a.m. on Sunday, when she was in good health. For some mouths deceased had been suffering from rheumatic gout, and had been attended by Dr. Cahill, who gave her some medicine, which was generally kept On a shelf in tho scullery. On tho same shelf were a bottlo of cuticura and a bottle of nicotine, the latter being used for garden purposes. Witness was aware that this was poison, but was inclined to suppose that her mother did not. About 11.30 on Sunday niorning, witness heard her mother call to her, and, rushing out, met her in the passage. She then heard her mother exclaim: "Oh, Ida, I have taken the wrong mixture for my medicine, and I feel it has done for me." Witness immediately went to get some brandy, but, when she returned, her mother was lying on tho floor. She was able to take the stimulant, and did not speak again. Dr. Herbert was then summoned by telephone, but, when ho arrived, life was extinct. Clara Clabburn, married woman, • residing at Karori, recounted the circumstances under which sho had been called to the residence of deceased between 11 and 12 o'clock on Sunday morning. When she entered tho house, deceased was lying on the floor, and, as witness thought, in a dying condition. An attempt was being made to administer brandy, and sho (witness) .suggested warm water and salt, and attempted to give deceased some, but it was then too late. At. this stage, the proceedings were adjourned until this morning, when Dr. Herbert's evidence will bo taken.