A DROWNING CASE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18116, 5 June 1919, Page 2

A DROWNING CASE.

EXTRAORDINARY EVIDENCE. [Pek Press Association.] ' WHANGAREI, June 4. Sensational evideuoe was given at an inquest to-day concerning the death of Jessie West, aged thirty-two, a house* ntaid at a Y hangarei hotel, whose buoy was found in the upper reaches ox VV hangarei Harbour last night. * Pear] Burke, housemaid at the same hotel, testified that the tragedy was tho outcome of a spiritualistic meeting held in deceased’s room. After such meeting on Tuesday night, at 8,30, witness and deceased walked to the town wharf, where the latter, remarking, “ Freddy is calling me,” disrobed herself and nut on a nightdress. At deceased’s request witness took her cloth,ea and walked away, though being fully aware of deceased’s intention. A verdict was returned that death was due to drowning by deceased throwing herself into the water, the Coroner remarking that the girl Burke, though apparently simple-minded, was morally responsible for Jessie West’s death, i 1 not liable nnder the criminal code.