"VALUABLE LIFE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 235, 4 October 1935, Page 3

"VALUABLE LIFE."

CONSTABLE'S DEATH. RECENT WAIKATO TRAGEDY. YOUNG WOMAN'S SUICIDE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON", this day. "This unfortunate calamity, which was the result of an extreme devotion to duty, led to the loss of a valuable life," commented the coroner, Mr. F. W. Platts, S.M., at the inquest to-day concerning the death of Constable Charles Hay ward Williams, aged 31 years. The evidence showed that the constable had lost his life in the Waikato River 011 August 13 while attempting to rescue Daisy Hislop from drowning after she had fallen from the railway bridge. A verdict that the constable was drowned in attempting to rescue Miss Hislop was returned. An inquest into the death of Daisy Hislop, aged 23 years, was also concluded. The evidence showed that deceased jumped from the railway bridge into the Waikato River on August 13. "We have it in evidence that deceased had a quarrel with a young man with whom she was keeping company about his going to a party without her, and that there was also trouble about an engagement ring," stated the coroner. "The unfortunate girl was despondent at the time, and the verdict will be that she committed suicide by drowning while temporarily insane," he added. "The remarkable courage of Charles Clarke, who entered the river twice in an attempt to rescue Miss Hislop and the constable needs no commendation from me, for his bravery has been publicly recognised," concluded the coroner.