A NEW ZEALAND DOCTOR IN TROUBLE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2614, 6 August 1881, Page 2

A NEW ZEALAND DOCTOR IN TROUBLE.

Considerable sensation has been excited in Victoria by the death, at Maryborough, of a young woman named Hilider, who had been attended during her illness by Dr Cecil Jackson,formerly resident at Invercargill, where he was snrgeon to the hospital. He was also resident in Queenstown for some time. The following is a summary of the case from the “ Argus

The deceased was a daughter of a Mr Maitland, residing At Adelaide Lead, a few miles from Maryborough. About seven years ago she was taken into the service of Mr and Mrs Hillder, then living on a farm at Bung Bung. Originally employed us a servant, the girl soon won the affections of the Hillders, and was adopted and treated by them as a daughter. Three years ago they left the farm, and came to live in Maryborough. Previous to her acquaintance with Dr Jackson she had the reputation of being a well conducted girl, never suspected of any impropriety of conduct, and never known to bo addicted to drinking habits. According to the version of her triends a marked change in her demeanour dated from Dr Jackson’s visits. Her manner towards the Hillders was altered ; her affection, as she stated was won away; she began to be led into what Mr Hilder warned her against, as the “ growing propensity” to indulge in stimulants. She drank it is alleged frequently and largely with the doctor ; was visited by him morning, noon, and night; was often driven out with him, arid, in short received such frequent visits as to attract some public notice to his attentions. The most extraordinary feature of the case presented itself after this alleged close intimacy was said to have continued for two months. The deceased, who is said to have been previously a very strong, robust and healthy girl, complained of being unwell and unhappy. She was very excited. She complained of the doctor’s past attentions, charged him with improper intimacy, and expressed herself as weary of life. Her sudden and unexpected death caused much surprise. The doctor’s statements relate to the last month only, and represented that when he was called to see her he fqund her suffering from excitement, and from incipient delirium, that he prescribed opiates for her, and that she took these in excess. The circumstantial narrative of his perpetual visits, of his alleged improper intimacy, of the presumed attempt to avert its consequences, of his frequent drinking with her, and of the alleged arrangement of the doctor to take her with him to Adelaide, Dr Jackson treats as a fiction of the girl’s imagination. A serious charge is made against Dr Jackson by Mr Hillder also. Mr Hillder is now 80years of ago, but, to all appearance, in full possesion of his senses, and he asserts that for some time , past Dr Jackson had dosed him with narcotics, and confined him to his bed in a stupefied and almost insensible condition, and that, while in this state, he was forced to give a sura of money to Dr Jackson. This is denied, but Hillder resolutely holds to his statement. Dr J&ckson has been in Maryborough for about*two years, and came from New Zealand. He had recently made arrangements to leave the district, but steps have been taken to prevent his departure, pending the result of Hillder’s action for the recovery of the money alleged to have been improperly obtained from him by Dr Jackson. After hearing all the evidence at the Coroner’s inquiry, the Jury returned the folio wing verdict:—“ That deceased died at Maryborough from congestion of brain and lungs caused by narcotic medicines prescribed by Dr Cecil Jackson, and that the said Dr Jackson was guilty of manslaughter.” The verdict was unanimous. Dr Jackson was accordingly committed for trial. The result was waited for with interest.

The hotel in which the inquest was held was thronged by a large and excited crowd all day. Dr Jackson has been liberated on hie wife’s bail of £SOO.