DUNEDIN SENSATION.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1889, 18 October 1913, Page 5

DUNEDIN SENSATION.

YOUNG WOMAN'S DEATH.

SILENT TRIO AT INQUEST; (By MtsTe.pl.—Frees Assocdation.) Dunedln, October 17. The District Coroner, Mr. C. C. Graham, resumed tho inquest this morning regarding tho death of Margaret Mary Donnelly, a _singlo woman, who diod in a houso in Hopo Street on October 3. Deceased belonged to Invercargill, and was a book-keeper by profession. At the opening of the inquest last S&turday week, Dr. Fleming, who had made' a, post-mortem examination, stated that the causo of death was probably profound toxaemia of pregnancy —an excessively rare and little-under-stood diseaso, and quite distinct from septio absorption, which was tho usual cause of death. Mr. A. C. Hanlon appeared for Elizabeth Inglifl, the board-mghouse-keeper, and Mr. J. B. Callan for the relatives of deceased, Benior-Sorgeant Dart intimated that ho had obtained reports from Mr. Rokerton, of Christchurch, and from Dr. RoßerTs and Dr. Champtaloup embodying chemical analysis of the stomach and other matters. A Dootor's Testimony. Dr. Maopherson (recalled) said fhat ho had read the three reports received and would say now that he believed the cause.of death to be acute septicaemia. Tho senior 6ergoant: Did you have conversation with anyone before or after the girl's death? Witness: Yes. The senior-sorgeanti Who was ItP "Mr. Hayno, chemist." The senior-sergeant: Whero did you seo him P—"He called at my house about six o'clock on the morning that the girl died. He said that he wanted t: take me into his confidence, and asked mo if I would go and see a patient who was dangerously, ill in Hope Street. I replied that I would not be mixed' up in any case in which he was connected." Hayno (continued Dr. Macpberson) tKen ran oyer the names of sovoral doctors, and witness told him that he could. not advise him on tho matter.. Then, about 7 o'clock witness got a ring from Dr. Fleming asking him to go to Hopo Street, and he went. He had strong suspicion that it was the that he had had a consultation over with Dr. Fleming. He' saw Hayno again that morning, shortly before 8 o'clock Hayne camo up to him and remarked: "You have seen_ that caso with Dr. Fleming?" and witness replied that ho had. Hayne asked witness what he thought of the patient, and he replied that she was manifestly dying. Hayne said: "Do you think that there will be an Inquest?" and witness, replied tint that resteS with s xhe Coroner and Dr. Fleming.

"I Deolino to Answer."

Ephraim Barbour M'Kay, auctioneer, of Invercargill, said that deceased had been in his employment for eight yearß as book-keeper and typist. WitneßS fl brother was also a member of the firm. They all had separate offices. Tho senior sergeant: Were you in Dunedin prior to Miss Donnelly s death? Witness: It seems to me that I am to bo most unfairly dragged into this case, and I think it would bo better just at the start for me to say I decline to answer any quostions whatever. Tho coroner: If you have nothing to conceal, there can be no harm in telling the wholo truth. .If you decline to answer it will' leave the ■ presumption that you have something to conceal. Witness: But the more faot of the polico calling me in this case again shows that they are trying to associate me with the case. He added that he declined to answer. The coroner: On the ground that it may incriminate you?—" Yes." , The 6enior sergeant: Did you toll Detective Carroll that you were in 'Dunedin on Monday P—'"l decline to answer." Tho senior sergeant: Assuming that you wont to Dunedin on Monday, did you find Miss Donnelly in your office when you arrived back that nightP— "No." , . Tho senior sergeant: Did you see her that night?-—"Yes; in presence of my wife. Sho was in the office with another clerk, and they were both working-" The senior Bergoanti Did sho come back to your offico on the following morning? Witness again repeated that he, declined to answer. "It is not going to rest here," he said,."and, Mr. Coroner, I 'claim your protection in this particularly sad case." The coroner replied that he did not see that it was any good going any further with the witness.

Tho senior sergeant remarked that he had certain information that had led him to believe that - M'Kay knew something about the girl's movements prior to her doparture from Invercargill.

More Refusals to Answer.

Senior Sergeant Dart then called James Reynolds Hayne, chemist. The sergeant: Did you go to see Dr. MacPherson ?

' Witness: After hearing his evidence, I must refuse to answer.

Tho coroner: On what, grounds ? Unless you can give reasonable grounds for not answering, I must commit you for' contempt of Court. Witness: I have already given my reason, after hearing Dr. MaoPhorson'B evidence it is very evident that something might incriminate me.

To further questions- by the senior Bergeant and the coroner, witness persistently refused'to answer.

Elizabeth Inglis was then called to continue her evidence. The senior Sergeant asked hor if Mr. Hayne was at her house on the morning that deceased died, or on tho previous night? Witness declined to answer this and other questions. • ' " '

The coronor returned a verdict that the cause of death was acute septicaemia, the result of a mishap, but how the latter was brought about was (owing to the refusal to give evidence by the only witnesses who could throw light on the snbjcct, on tho ground that such evidence might possibly tind to incriminate themselves) there was not sufficient evidence to sho'ty.

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