A SAD TRAGEDY.

A sad tragedy was revealed on Sunday when Mrs Julia Woodhouse was found lying dead in the Borough race running through their property in Manuherikia Road. The deceased who was 54 years of age was an old resident of the town.

An inquest was held on Monday bsfore Mr W. Black, deputy coroner and four jurors. C. W. Woodhouse, a son of deceased, gave evidence that about 11.30 while in the shed he saw his mother pass evidently on the way to the house. On returning to the house ten minutes later he saw no sign of her and he and his sister went in search of her. He walked along the race and a chain and a-half from the house found her lying in the race. He lifted her head from the water and getting the assistance of a neighbour they pulled the body from the race. Deceased was subject to fits and had an attack at 6.30 that morn-' ing. She seemed quite alright at 8.30 and took her breakfast as usual. The race ran through their garden and was carrying 12 inches of water. Dr Gladstone gave evidence that he was called to the spot about 12.30. He found deceased lying on the bank. Ar? tificial respiration which had been commenced was continued but deceased was evidently dead and the body was carried into the house. He had conducted a post-mortem examination. The condition of the lungs and air passages showed that deceased had breathed after entering the water but they were not sufficiently well marked to show that death was due to drowning alone. He had come to the conclusion that she had an epileptic fit and fell into the water, death being due to heart failure and shock. Deceased had been subjecf to epileptic fits for the past JQ yea.rs, Mrs Mansau gave evidence that in response to a call she assisted Cecil to pull his mother out gi the race. Artificial refepjraiion was then tried and' X»r Gladstone sent for. ' v V

Countable Sorrell" stated that he was informed- by Dr Gladstone at 1.30 and made an inspection qf the b,ody but found no marks 1 of violence * A verdict, was returned in. accordance with the medical evidence,