AWFUL TRAGEDY AT CATHEDRAL

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8526, 25 February 1924, Page 3

AWFUL TRAGEDY AT CATHEDRAL

WOMAN AND TWO CHILDHEN MEET DEATH. Press Assoc. By Tel. Copyright Ansi,—N.Z. Cable Assoc. Rec Feb 25, 9.20 a.m. Loudon, Feb 24 Mrs Davey, of Hammersmith, aged about thirty-seven years and her two children, Margaret and Catherine, aged eight and five years respectively, fell from the campanile of Westmisier Cathedral yesterday and were killed. The woman and chilren passed into the tower shortly after eleven o’clock in the morning. The woman paid 1/6 and went upstairs, chatting with the children. The porter at the | Ashley Gardens Hats said he heard j a thud and then two more thuds. !■: lle thought someone was having a j joke, throwing bundles. Then he !i saw the bodies. One of the child- | ren died as he reached her. The 3 woman, being heavier, reached the • ground first. She was for a long time unidentified. The balcony from which the woman and children fell is 250 feet high. It has a wall throe- feet six inches high and is surrounded by railings. It is thought that the woman pushed one child ewer first and then leaped wit the ether in her arms.

The husband, described as an upholsterer, aged sixty-four years, returned from work at 2.30, which is the exact time of the tragedy. He found a not on the table, which stated : "Forgive me, I a.m sorry. 1 have gone away and taken the children with me. It is not your fault. You have always bean a good husband. Goodbye.” The husband said his wife had been a little strange during the last fortnight. A neighbor said /Mrs Davey was a devout Catholic but somewhat temperamental.