MOTHER AND CHILD

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 May 1945, Page 4

MOTHER AND CHILD

ASPHYXIATED IN KITCHEN

.AUCKLAND May 10. A woman and her young daughter, who were on holiday, were found asphyxiated in the kitchen of a house where they were staying at Ellerslie. The burners of a gas stove had been turned on. Artificial respiration attempts were unsuccessful, and they did not regain consciousness. The victims were: Mrs Doris May Walker, aged about 40, of Motalau, North Auckland: and Judith Walker, aged five. Mrs Walker and her husband, Mr D. T. Walker, who were teaching at the native school at Moiatau. camo to Auckland with their child last Tuesday to spend the school holidays with Mr Walker’s father at his home in Ellerslie. The husband left the house this afternoon, and bis father went out about an hour later. Mrs Walker and her daughter were expected to leave afterwards to attend a picture theatre. Mr Walker senior returned home about 5 p.m. Noticing a smell of gas, at the back of the house he went into the kitchen. He found Mrs Walker i and her daughter lying side by side on the floor, each with her head on a pillow. He .went for assistance. Artificial respiration was attempted unsuccessfully.