INQUEST.

Feilding Star, Issue 352, 24 August 1907, Page 2

INQUEST.

The inquest on the body of Mrs Augusta Billett, which was found dead at her residence, Nikau, yesterday, was held in the afternoon before Captain Mowlem and the following jury: —Messrs R. W. Brown (foreman), Henry Stewart, Asher Love, John Jansen, Patrick Henaghan, and John D. Balmer. Samuel Charles Billett, aged 14, deposed that yesterday morning his mother told him to go for the cows, while she had a bath. After he had milked the cows his sister came out and told him their mother was drowned in the bath. When he went to the room he saw his mother kneeling down, with her head in the bath. Her face was submerged, but the water did not cover the back of her head. His mother had been in good health. His father had been away a fortnight, and was expected home that day. Dr. Willis deposed that he had examined the body, and found the heart badly diseased, the liver was very congested, the lungs, kidneys, and remaining organs healthy. There was no water in the stomach, but^ her heart conditions were quite consistent with sudden death. He thought the cause of death was syncope from heart disease. There were no marks whatever of violence, nor any sign of an irritant In the organs. Dr. McAlluin corroborated the evidence of Dr. Willis, and said that in his opinion deceased was dead before her face reached the water. In his opinion death was due to heart failtire only. Fanny Billett corroborated her brother s evidence as to finding their mother with her face in the bath tub. The jury returned the following verdict: — "That on the morning of the 23rd August, at her residence, Nikau, Colyton, the deceased, Augusta Billett, died from heart failure, as stated in the medical evidence." Mrs Billett was very well known in the Nikau district, and great sympathy is expressed for the family. The funeral will probably be held on Monday.