ILLEGAL OPERATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3718, 2 October 1906, Page 2

ILLEGAL OPERATION.

THE JURY'S VERDICT

Dunedin, Sept. 29, At the inquest concerning the death of Margaret Kendrick, the evidence of the cabman who drove deceased to the house where she resided for some days and then drove her home, and of the woman who kept the boardinghouse where deceased stayed, and of a servant, was taken. Then the dying depositions were read. These were to the effect that the deponent had been in trouble for two months. She went to the shop of J. R. Hayne, and he arranged that she should call on the following day. She did so. Deponent explained what was done. She had a bad turn, and he got a young lady to take her away. She had to pay money amounting to beforehand. She got the money from Mr Goudie the same day. The remainder of the depositions dealt with the subsequent movements of deceased. The coroner, in summing up, said that beyond the statement made by the dying woman there was no evidence as to who actually performed the operation. It was not for him to say whether such uncorroborated .evidence was sufficient to secure the conviction of the person tried for the offence. The jury returned the following verdict: “That Margaret Kendrick died of peritonitis caused by an illegal operation performed by James Reynolds Hayne.”