MANAIA TRAGEDY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 6 February 1925, Page 7

MANAIA TRAGEDY.

IXQUEST CON CLUDED

DEATH BY MOTHER’S HAND. A veidict that Joyce May Hobday, seven-momhs-oid, daugnter of Mr. and Mrs. V. H. Hobday, of Manaia," came to her death by drowning at tlie hand of her mother, "while the mother was of unsound mind, was returned at the adjourned inquest held at Manaia today. , , The death of the child took place on Thursday morning ot last week. When Mr. Hobday woke, he found *hat his wife was not in the'house, and a sea.rel) revealed her lying unconscious at. the bottom of the garden. Near her vas a glass containing the dregs of a powerful disinfectant., while, the baby was found dead in a bath of water. At the inquest-, Air. J. J. Meldon, P.P.. Acting-Coroner, -had associated with him a jury of six. Mr. A. G. Bennett watched proceedings on behan of the parents, and Sergeant J. Henry conducted the case for the police. After returning their verdict, membels of the jury, through the Coroner, expressed their sincere sympathy with Air Hobdav in- his bereavement. Tin? child’s mother, who was sent to. Wellington for special medical attention, is still under treatment there, ana her condition is reported to show no improvement.