A STRANGE AFFAIR.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1921, Page 1

A STRANGE AFFAIR.

YOUNG WOMAN’S DEATH. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 20 Evidense of an unusual nature was adduced at the adjourned inquest on Agues Cook, a young wotpati twentyfour years of age, who died at the Christchurch Hospital curly in the present month under ciremstanoes necessitating the intervention ot the police. OPERATION EOR CURETTING PURPOSES.

It had previously been elicited that deceased, a cook ‘ l ‘- (In i-tehureh Club for some time before her death, was an Englishwoman, and came to New Zealand by the s.x. Pakelia early this veer. About five weeks ago she asked for leave, saying that her biuDier was ill in D<e Nnitli Island. She was admitted '<> G ' Christcliutcli Hospital on October Hh suil'oring from septicaemia. Dr Temple reported having twice operated on her tor cuietting purposes. The inquest was opened on October Util and resumed on October ldtli and •2(1,1, and on Friday. Mr ('. S. Thomas appeared on beltalf of Dr Temple. Ibe inquest was conducted bv DetcetiveSergea„t Gibson, Mr M. J. Lresson appeared for Nurse Parson. THE DETECTIN'ICB EVIDENCI'.. D 'teetive-Sergeant t.luartenmiin, st-a-tioned at Cbristchurcb. said that Dr Teiuple made a statement regarding \„„os Cook’s death, of winch ho took imtes in lead pencil. It was typed and tak i, next morning tv, the doetm for signature. He studied it sentence I,V sentence. He made an iteration in los nvvii liaiulv. riting and added o U. He tlien signed it and Lauded « ‘ to witness, win, pindm-ed it. .“ ' .ct out that the young "<’ »■ '' plained “f abdominal i-ns. a.a ; found her to be pregnant In Don with Dr Bates he dee.ded o 1-' form a curetting operation- ri„. ■ , |,, lt her com.lit lo" prv*ved iU, J - cliri'- I church (10-pitab >l "' 'r -vfm-W .-TATr.AVF.NT. ' r I', niple bod argued th* Alt' i Ui l ,i] pave roasnn'to 1 tieliev* . -h« t«v. believe that at IT arson i 4 on Sop v- sent her to M.-J, u , that tember - L*•'-• hor ■• After seme v "„. r, r . < ' sor 'v’' 1 Jai<l “That is true.’’ hesitation, h ‘ , uM lies, and Witness asked L> tho dead lie said he ha , further statehis admission. Th. meat, t« Hu 'f' t t , Dial- she 'i»< ”>.”2 Before signing tlie state ""T n, Temple slid to witness and meat. I' l V v„ “Will xxm he a •mntlior « «*tn < . . ..I lip r • l mo if T confi<Jo in you. {nono to tin u iiffioer* nnd ;r,rrivjv”,, r o were dated Sep ember -Bth. Oetoiler Gth and OeUiber BU,. la a ~-ised’s Post Olli'-e Savings Bank honi ' '■J ° s | ~ drew £3O on Sepfeinshnwed that J ' U ,e detectives Suto^i'«n; ; fher...recNi,. O-e hos”pj t“ K 1 Telford. List ril l Health Officer, said that Dr Temple notified , , on (let oiler 10th in a .■ertifi,..Ue dated Oetohed Bth that septicaemia was suspected to exist m Agnes CORONER'S YERDTCT. In his verdict the i oroiier staled that deceased died from acute suppurative peritonitis Following perforation of mternal organs. Tin* coroner said that there was no pritof that the perfeaI i,, n s were the result- of tho operative work <>f either Dr’Temple or Dr Bates, atlhough it would have heel, preferalde. keeping in view a prospective operation. for the deceased to have been forthwith sent, to the public hospital or to any duly registered -private hospital. the evidence disclosed that de-co;.s-d was twice advised to go to the mil,lie hospital, and refused to do so. Eventually Drs Temple and Bates prevailed on the deceased to enter the public hospital, which slm did on October Bth.