FALL IN BUSH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 161, 10 July 1935, Page 9

FALL IN BUSH.

CORONER'S FINDING.

DEATH OF MRS. HATFIELD.

FOOT CAUGHT IN BOOT.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WARKWORTH, Tuesday. An inquest concerning the death of Mrs. Janey Hatfield, whose remains were found at Upper Waiwera last Sunday, was Held at Waiwera to-day before the coroner, Mr. Alec. J. S. Warin. Mr. A. J. Hatfield, husband oi deceased, deposed that prior to her disappearance on March 17 last, deceased had complained of pains in her chest and was in such a condition that her memory failed her on occasions, and that she was liable to wander away and forget where she was going. He identified the artificial teeth and pieces of the woollen cardigan jacket found with the remains, as being those worn by his wife. Cecil Tasman Joblin, farmer, of Upper Waiwera, stated that on the morning of July 7 he left home to search for a missing cow in the scrub at the back of his .While searching a email clump of bush about one mile and a half from his home he saw what appeared to be a skeleton lying in the bush. He returned to his house and notified the police. Police Constable Robertson, of Warkworth, after detailing the efforts made to find Mrs. Hatfield, stated that on the Bth instant he accompanied Mr. Joblin across scrub-covered hills and gullies to the place where the remains were lying. An examination disclosed that the right foot was caught beneath a root branching out from one of the trees, and two bones were broken. The position where the remains were found was about four miles from Hatfield's house, across country covered with scrub and bush. It was difficult country to traverse. The renfains were found in a small hollow formed by roots and trees, and it would be possible for anyone to pass within two or three yards of them and not see them. From the bone injuries, it appeared that deceased had been wandering in a, weak condition, possibly during the night, trying to find her way home, and stumbled and fell, receiving injuries which prevented her from moving. The coroner returned a verdict that deceased's death was caused from exposure, accelerated possibly by injuries received as a result of a probable fall.