SEDUCTION AND ABORTION AT THE BAY OF ISLANDS.

Evening Star, Issue 3285, 30 August 1873, Page 3

SEDUCTION AND ABORTION AT THE BAY OF ISLANDS.

Dr Parsons has had to go to prison till the day of trial, having been unable to find the large bail required. The following was the evidence adduced at the magisterial inquiry : —The prisoner was charged with unlawfully and feloniously supplying and causing to be taken by Elizabeth Isabella Christie, certain noxious drugs unknown, with intent then and thereby to cause the miscarriage of her. Allen Christie, se tler at Kawakawa, sworn, stated that he had known the prisoner about twelve months, during which time he had bom medical attendant to his family. Elizabeth Isabella Christie is my daughter, and at the beginning of this year she had a complaint in her head, for which Dr Parsons recommended her hair to be shaved off. She is eighteen years of age. Dr Parsons first was my daughter at my house, and afterwards she called at his residence once a week to have her head examined. The weekly visits did not cease until Sunday, the third of August last. She usually visited the doctor at about eight o’clock in the morning. On the morning of the 3rd inst. 1 saw my daughter come into my house with a bottle of medicine in her hand. Mrs Christie was present. It was about a half-pint bottle, and was quite fall. I recognise the bottle produced,' and the cork also. I took the medicine out of her hand, and remarked, “ W hat, are you taking medicine yet ? What is this for ?” She made no reply, but simply smiled, and went on with her duties. I drew the cork and smelt the medicine, and by the smell I believe this produced to be the same medicine. On Wednesday, the 6th instant, Mrs Christie sent forme and told me, “ ■ hat old doctor has ruined Lizzy.” She said she had questioned the girl, and that she had disclosed who it was. She also said that’the girl was pregnant. When I became a little collected, I asked for the medicine, and Mrs Christie gave me the bottle and powder produced, which I locked up in a box. I handed them to Dr Ford in the same state as 1 received them, with the exception of the outside paper. There was no label on either the bottle or powder. No instructions were given to me or ray wife regarding ttie medicines. I gave the medicines to Dr Ford on the day I laid the information. Ann Christie said : I am the wife of the prosecutor in this case. Elizabeth Isabella Christie is my stepdaughter. I first became acquainted with Or Parsons as the medical attendant of my family about twelve months ago, consulting him regarding a disease in my step daughter’s head. He recommended her head to be shaved. He afterwards blistered the hack part of her head; and cqbaequently she called at his regularly about four times a-wcek, at about eight o’clock in the morning. These visits commenced about February last, and she continued to bring medicines home for about six weeks or two mouths. About that time Dr Parsons fell ill, and the visits were discontinued. I think it was some time in June she recommenced her visits to the doctor’s residence, but she did not go so regularly as before The doctor was afterwards galled in to see Mr Christie, who was ill, and I then asked him how it was the medicine ho gave my daughter made her so sick ? And he told me ho knew it would do so, and that I must allow her to lie by a little. 1 asked him if the medicine was for her head, and he said “ No, but she was rather bilious,” The doctor told my daughter to go to his surgery as usual, 'i he medicine made her sick, and sometimes she fainted right off. I first noticed the fainting fits about four months ago. On Sunday, the 3id of tho present month, she went for her medicine, and returned with a bottle of darkcolored medicine (produced). Mr ChrisFe took out the cork, and said he thought it smelt of assafeetida. She told me she had to take one tablespoonful every four hours, and to go on Wednesday morning to the doctor. She went on Wednesday, and returned with two poy ( alerg. Something in her appearance attracted my notice, and on her return I questioned her, and my suspicions were strengthened. I questioned her, and, after crying for some time, she admitted that Dr Parsons had taken improper liberties with her, In consequence of this statement 1 sent for her father and Mrs Hansen to question her in my presence, and she told Mrs Hansen the same as she told me. On one occasion, when the prisoner was passing, I called him in, and Mr Christie then accused him of having ruined his daughter, and I related ta lyiiti ■vyhat »py daughter had to.ld ine in regard to his improprieties 1 with her, 'l appealed to my daughter to face the doctor, and say if it was true, and she did so, saying, “lb is all true j you know, doctor, it is all true.” He stared vacantly, and made no reply. Mr Christie lost his temper, and after some words struck the prisoner, and my daughter ran out of the room with fright. After the doctor had left the house, I found my daughter in a helpless condition, retching and vomiting. I think it waa from the powder she had taken. She c mplained of severe pains at the lower her stomach, at each side. The powder produced is one of them. Mr Christie looked up the medicines in a box. Elizabeth Isabella Christie, deposed : I am eighteen years of age, and a daughter of Mr Allen Christie, of Kawakawa. I had something the matter with my head about December last, and Dr Parsons treated me for it. He gave me medicine for it, and came to opr house about four times a week. I afterwards went to hia surgery frequently. After two months I used to visit him about onae a week. He told me to do so. The prisoner then fell ill, and after his recovery I continued to visit his surgery. At those visits improprieties occurred, the first time being in February, and continuing till he fell ill. I commenced to feel ill about the week before last. I informed the prisoner of it, and ho told me to take that bottle of medicine. The medicine now produced is the same I got from the doctor on Sunday morning, the 3rd August, I took it all except the drop in the bottle. On the Wednesday morning, the 6th August, I went to prisoner’s residence, and got two powders from him, which I took as directed. They made mo very sick. When I came home 1 disclosed all to my mother. To prisoner : I recollect, some time in March, you said you would speak to my mother. I said I would rath- r you would Rot. You never, in giving mo the medicine, represented what it was for. John Hill, sworn, said : On Friday, Bth of August, X wa§ sworn in as a special cotp

stable, for the arrest of Dr. Famous. I »r----rested him at his residence at Kawakawa mines. I read the charge to him. He ma an admission as to giving some medicine. He said, “ I admit that I have given medicine to her, but let them prove what it was.” He asserted his innocence of the charge. Samuel Hay ward Ford, sworn, said : I am a duly qualified medical man, and reside at Russell. I produce a bottle containing medicine, and a powder. They were brought to me by Mr Christie, on the Bth August. Mr Christie asked me to make an examination of the contents of the bottle, and also of the powder, which I have done as far as I am able. With respect to the bottle, I think there can be no doubt that the principal article it contains is some preparation of ergot of rye, either in form of inusion, or tincture of ergot. There may be some other unimportant items in it, but the ergot is the principal med cine it contains. With respect to the contents of the powder, I believe them to be powdered jalap, croton oil, and perhaps some preparation of mercury. The effects, if given to a woman in the state of the girl Christie, would be likely to be very serious. I have never known the profession to administer ergot in lawful practice in such cases. As to the powder, I should think it highly improper to give croton oil in such a case. No doubt it has been given sometimes, but I should think it an error of judgment. I have no doubt of Miss Christie’s pregnancy.—-This concluded the evidence.