DOMINION NEWS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 February 1925, Page 7

DOMINION NEWS

DROWNING FATALITY

(BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, Feb. 3

At the inquest on the circumstances surrounding the death of John T. Lilburn and his wife, Louisa Lilburn, of Invercargill, the victims of the double drowning tragedy yesterday, was held this morning. The evidence showed that the male deceased, who jw;as subl-manager for Thomson’s, Ltd., of Invercargill, had been on leave on account of ill-health, under medical treatment. They were stopping with a- sister-in-law here. The wife appeared to be in good health till a iveek ago. when she became depressed over her husband’s health. The Coroner stated that a letter written by Mrs. Lilburn explained the tragedy. Her husband was suffering from a disease which was believed to be incurable. This preyed on the minds of both to such an extent that they decided to end their trouble. A verdict of suicide by drowning while in a depressed state of mind was returned. ALLEGED SHEEP STEALING. TAUMARUNUT, Feb. - 3. In the case in which John Seaton McKenzie, farmer and dealer, of Owhango, appeared on a charge of stealing sheep of a total-, value of £l7 10s, and also with failing to notify neighbour of his intention to muster sheep, was concluded last night before Messrs J. Maher and A. Leese, J’sP. Detective M. Gourley, who represented the police, said the case was the result of an investigation into missing sheep from Owhango district.

Counsel for the defence, Mr. C. C. Marsack, contended that the case .should be dismissed, owing to lack of nrima facie evidence, but the Bench held that a priina facie case had been made out. The accused was committed for trial at Hamilton Supreme Court on the first charge. The second charge was dismissed under section 92 of the Justices of the Peace Act.