A WIDOW'S DEATH.

Mataura Ensign, 6 November 1912, Page 4

A WIDOW'S DEATH.

V*B UNITED PUKH3 .« SSOCIATU -S. WELLINGTON, Nov. Dr McArthur, the coroner, opened an inquest to-day on the body of Jano May Alien, widow, .">1 years of ag<who was found dead in bed in 61 ni.akofi road on Sunday morning. The case for the police was co!i<i;;:.tc<l 1 by Chief-Detective Hrobe.rg. I Evidence was given by l)r Pattic. who was called to the house by telephone, that a little alter noon In lain,] the woman fully dressed, with I'"* < reception of a boot, lying on in > !«!l side on tins bed. Her face was partially inclined to the pillow. There wan decoloration on the front part of tin; f;::e, neck, arms, and hands. The fe^taies were flattened, and this seemed to »e been caused by the weight oi tin head on the pillow. No marks of violence were to ho found on the head, neck, or arms, though lie. did not examine the body for such marks. H<; could not sa.y how long the woman iiad been dead, but at the time lie formed the opinion that it wan for no less u period than 24 hours.

Chas. Borck, a waterside worker, who lived with tins deceased ioi thfi last four years, statod that ho tin ned deceased over about 11 o'clock on Sunday and she, did not seem to 1m; dead. He thought she was unwell, so bo sent for Drs Pattie and Izard. Thn last time ho spoke to the woman wan at 11.30 on Friday evening. Twice, that night he had given her brandy, to which she was much addicted. All day on Saturday he was alniut town, and went homo drunk at midnight. Tho woman was then lying on tho l*cd, but he. did not speak to her, nor she to him. Ho could not tell whether or not nho was alive after 11.30 on Friday night. At no time, had he ever .struck tho woman. Other evidence given showwl that the woman was seen alivo after 7 p.m. on Friday. Constable Thompson stated that the room in which the body was found resembled a pigstye. Tim Unclothes were filthy. The inquest was then adjourned until Monday, when the evidence of !)r Fyffe, who held a post-mortem, will bo given.