DEAD GIRL'S LETTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 260, 3 November 1931, Page 9

DEAD GIRL'S LETTER.

SUICIDE CONTEMPLATED.

LIVING IN MISERY.

MOTHER GIVES EVIDENCE,

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

In bis opening address to the jury yesterday, the Crown prosecutor said that on . the day after that cn which the Crown alleged. that Coats killed and buried the girl he told his landlady that Phillis had gone home. He told another man that she had gone to her brother's place. On. the following Monday he told his landlady that he was going to a place, where, as a matter of fact, he was not going; Jle said also that'his "wife" .would be back after tea to clear up the room. Phillis did not come. On a later occasion a , friend of Coats found, some, of Phillis' clothing in the room they, had. occupied. Another friend, Melville, found under the lower mattress of "the bed a letter from the girl to her father. ■>, ' The Crown prosecutor read the letter to the jury. . Extracts f rom it were-as follows:— -

"Dearest Dad, —I feel I cannot go on like this. Many, times have I wanted to end all my pain, and misery by sui-cide,-but I cannot bring'in yself to do it. It seems so dreadful. I know what you must think of me, but, dad, I am innocent. in:my hunt for good times, but with the'desire to keep decent I have fallen. I have' suffered- and am still suffering. Every hour is torture. I have very little to eat; my clothing is in . rags, so that I am afraid to go outside the.-door. I had a job at housekeeping ;for some time, but, the people left Wellington and I was unable to pay my rent of 10/6 weekly and may at any time be ; put out. ' ' "How - Terrible Life Is." ■ v "Miv Coats is out of work,' but does his best to keep me in food. You,could never imagine how terrible life-is. He only I could be" back home, receiving the^weekly .letter from Jack, have the comfortable bed at night and the good food, and have 1 the ■ to do. How ldvely it' sounds, but that is not to De Dad,; mum, try to.forgive me, Give your consent so I can marry and I will never come near you,, as I know you could never understand. Maybe you u feel sorry for me if you could be a witness to ~my misery, day after day, night after night..; I think I shall go mad very soon if things go on much longer .af they are at present. I think I sKall close now, and please forgive me. I remain, yours sincerely, Phillis." Melville kept this letter,for some day=> and then handed, it to Phillis' father, said the - Crown prosecutor, who then detailed' subsequent police action ana search for the' body. , , Mary Sophia Symons,_ mother of the deceased girl, said Phillisjvas _born at Napier on December S, 1913. The gnl was -backward at school, and imptorea her father to let her leave, which she did at the age of 14. Otherwise Phillis was normally healthy. About September, 1930, witness met Coats when - he was working on relief works at Mortimer Terrace. Pliillis first introduced her to, Coats. One Sund-ay early in March there was a slight difference between them, but it really was nothing. After it Phillis* slipped out - without knowing anything about it. Witness described the clothing the girl was wearing on' tlie day. She identified some clothing'.'.produced ..as -belonging to her daughter.' She said Phillis was a nice, quiet little girl." ' ■ ! . Mother Cross-examined. Counsel for. accused then questioned Mrs.: Symons closely concerning her dislike,for Coats. : . ■■ His-Honor: What counsel is trying lO find out is what was your attitude, toward Coats.before all'the-trouble, before she ,went away. - - ' . •.- . . -.."Well, she was always deceiving me and telling me lies," said witness. Looki.iig toward; tlie prisoner, elie added: fLe knows all. about it." . Counsel suggested that Witness had had a quarrel with Pliillis and struck her, and that there had been a stand-up fight between the brothers. . "Nothing of the sort," replied witness; "Where' have you been getting all this from? More of his lies, I suppose. Counsel (to witness): . Wasn't there a stand-up fight and : you ordered Phillis out of the house ?

Witness: Certainly pot. George Henry Symons, father of the girl, said he did not know Phillis was going away to live with Coats,, . Mrs. Myrtle Rene Lamb, a sister of tiie girl, told of tlie mother's efforts "to check Phillis' disobedience. • Murray Symons,' a brother, said lie usually took Phillis' part at home. On the day she went away he had misunderstood, and took, a 'broom from his mother when she gave Phillis a tap. His brother came in and took the- bioom from him. . _ • - Arthur de Maino, waiter, said he had known Coats since '1918. The -Crown Prosecutor questioned hini concerning certain articles, including a syringe at Coats' room. He was also questioned concerning a needle. The Crown Prosecutor asked to be allowed to refer to witness' previous depositions, and his Honor decided to adjourn the Court and hear argument in chambers. • The Court then adjourned,