YESTERDAYS TELEGRAMS

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 880, 20 April 1877, Page 2

YESTERDAYS TELEGRAMS

INTERPROYIA T CIAL. Auckland, April 19. The jury in the Parnell poisoning case returned an open verdict. There is great dissatisfaction with the result, as the witnesses deposed that the husband had treated his wife cruelly, calling her opprobrious names. The City Council have carried a motion to give the Bank of New Zealand twelvemonths’ notice of their intention to terminate the agreement, so as to. enable the Council to remove the account if advisable. Dunedin, April 19. The escort arrived to-day, bringing down 6137 ozs. of gold. McLaren and a lot of “ loafers,” encouraged by paragraphs in the Guardian and Evening Ecu's, held a meeting this afternoon, and intend presenting a petition to the Governor, asking for employment. Suspicious Death at Auckland. {From a correspondent of the Press.') Auckland, April 19. At an inquest held to-day, William Cross, husband of the deceased, deposed that they had been married twenty years. Her age was forty-eight. They had no family. She n as working about the house in the usual way yesterday morning, and >voi)t into the kitchen. She felt very low spirited and said she would go and lie down. She was subject tp a bilious attack. Returned to shop, occupying about twenty minutes. When he went up stairs lie saw her lying on the floor, with her head on the pillow. She was vomiting He asked her what was the matter. She replied, “I am dying.” Her face had a livid appearance. He carried her into the next room and laid her ,on to a bed. She was breathing feebly. There was a slight noise in her throat. Dr Ellis took possession of the utensil and tumbler containing a small quantity of clear liquid without any crystals at the bottom. He tested it and believed it was oxalic acid. She had oxalic acid in the house. Site got it six months’ ago from Mrs Gilbert, who used it cleaning bonnets. They lived happily together, except on one occasion two years ago. It was a matter of unpleasantness with a person named Brown. He could not account for her lowness of spirits, Ho had no misunderstanding with

her on the morning of her death. He had a few words with her on Monday, but nothing to speak of. He never lifted his hand to her. Emma Spencer said she had occasion to go to the shop of Cross. Cross asked her to go upstairs and see Mrs Cross. She saw her on a bed in the front room, and spoke to her. She made no answer. She was cold and clammy. She should think she was at the point of death. William Cliff, employed by Mr Cross in his shop, saw her at ten o’clock. She was washing at the back. A bottle of brandy was fetched on Monday because Mrs Cross said she was not well. He believed they lived happily together, excepting at the time of the Brown case. Jane Anger knew Mrs Cross. She had been living next door to them for three years. Know them nearly ten years. On the night of Monday last she heard a disturbance in Mr Cross’s house. He was abusing deceased, calling her names. She said “ you can call me what you like.” Heard quarrels occasionally between them. Heard things thrown about the house on several occasions. Mrs Cross always spoke kindly of her husband, but the bad language and violence were always on the side of the husband. Caleb Wood deposed—l reside next door. Knew deceased. Heard a slight disturbance in Cross’s house on Monday night, Cross using very hard words to his wife. His wife did not return them. He frequently heard disturbances, and had remonstrated as a friend with Cross, Had a very high opinion of the deceased. Felt there was no just cause for her husband’s conduct. Mary Ann Hale deposed—Knew deceased. Had frequently had conversations with her. Once she said she had troubles enough to make her do away with herself. The trouble was between her and her husband, but could not remember what she said. She was a woman of good character. Believed Cross’s treatment of his wife was totally uncalled for. M. Gilbert remembered some six months ago going to Cross to get some oxalic acid weighed. Mrs Cross took about a spoonful, and said she wanted to clean scales. Dr Edward Ellis deposed that the features were quite placid. There were no indications of ill-usage on the body. The lips were very white. Dr Ellis described the presence of oxalic acid on the basin and glass. Dr Tollis made a post mortem examination of the body. He found a large quantity of oxalic acid, which was undoubtedly the cause of death. The jury returned a verdict—“ That the deceased Jane Cross came to her death by oxalic acid poison, but by whom administered there is no evidence to show.” On being questioned by the coroner as to the propriety of attaching a rider, the jury intimated, through the foreman, that they were not desirous of doing so.