The Onehunga Poisoning Case.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2595, 2 May 1877, Page 3

The Onehunga Poisoning Case.

Further Particulars.

(FBok THE ATrCKiAND STAB.)

The unfortunate person, an account of whose alleged mysterious death ai the time of confinement we published yesterday, has been in the colony only some . tjji*ke months, and has been maxried about; that period. Her husband is employed on the Taranaki, and is now abBent. She has no relatives here. She was short in stature, and stoutly built, of fair complexion; she was esteemed for her many womanly'qualities. She was taken ill on Wednesday mornings at 4 a.m. A mid-wife was engaged to; attend her— not Dr Ross as erroneously stated in the Herald. The nurse felt .things were not going right," and sen^ twice for Dr: Zinfcan, and also sent by a market gardener going to town for Dr f Porcbas ; as neither came by 8 o'clock, Mr Wayland kindly went for Dr Koss. (Mrs Scott is a-tenant of. Mr Wayland.) Dr Ross immediately attended, found the woman not'only in labor, but also suffering from intense burning pains, and vomiting severely. DrZinzan afterwards arrived*' and some medicine was given fo allay the irritation in the stomach. They then left her, intending to return, when they thought it due time. On their return they found Dr Purchas in charge of the sufferer, and in his skillful hands the case was left. About 11 o'clock a child was brought forth, still born. Mrs Scott lingered until three o'clock on Friday morning. Apost-mortem examination is said to have been made during the day, the result of which is alleged to have shown that rupture caused death. The burial took place at about 5 o'clock, but was not attended by many, as the public did not know of its tak'og place. Dr

Purchas performed the last ceremonies over the grave.

MRS -WELLS' STATEMENT,

j I was engaged to attend to the deceased as midwife. If a dociur vsr.s required I was to call for one. I was sent tor between 11 and 12 o'clock on Tuesday night. Knowing that she was delicate and complaining for some time past of an unnatural pain in the inside, I was more than usually anxious. About 4 o'doek am., Wednesday, when labor pains began, I sent for l)r. Zinzan; he raid he could not attend until ho had had two hours' rest, and if any danger was seen to send fo,r Dr. Eoss. I did not do it, not knowing anything of Dr. Ross. I sent by Mr Webb for Dr. Purchas between five

and six o'clock in the morning, but the message was not delivered. Mrs Wayland

telegraphed at eleven o'clock for Dr Purchas. In the meantime Dr Eoss arrived. He administered chloroform to her, which he gave twico. At that time I expected the child would be born in a few minutes; After taking chloroform the pains left, and he gave her the forcing medicine. I insisted on Dr Zinzan coming down, and these two doctors talked together over Mrs Scott's state, and Dr Zinzan ordered medicine, which he gave to her about 12 o'clock on "Wednesday. They then left for about two hours, leaving word I was to give the medicine every two hours, but I did not fcive it, as Dr Purchas came between one and two o'clock, having received Mrs Wayland's telegram. The child was born at 12 o'clock at night. He stayed then until 6 o'clock the next morning. Dr Boss came up during the morning and asked me for a table spoon. I told him all was locked up. "With that he took a bottle from his pocket, and put it to her lips, putting in some froth; Dr Purchas made a post mortem examination at about four o'clock on Friday. There was no oth3r doctor present, but he had sent for Dr Zinzan, who did not come. He did not open the stomach,-as he declared that the cause of death was rupture of uretha, from which bad resulted such severe pains, and the froth on the mouth, I sent to Mr B-obb to make the coffin and bury her. A difficulty, was at first experinced to find people: to carry the coffin, to the churchyard, but Sergeant O'Connor hearing; of the dilemma kindly went round to the neighbours and succeeded in obtaining ample assistance. I made them take up the baby and lay it in the coffiu, arid I followed to the grave; Dr Purchas read the buripl.service. [Mrs Wells gave her statement in a straightforward manner, though very excited over the sad event event. No fear is apprenheded of any foul play. If it proves to be a case of poisoning, it is supposed to be accidental.]

The body will be exhumed to-morrow under the supervision of Detective Jeffrey.