“VERY SAD CASE”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 47, 26 January 1932, Page 8

“VERY SAD CASE”

YOUNG GIRL’S DEATH. “This is a very sad case/’ commented the Coroner (Mr A. J. Graham) when, at an inquest held this morning into the death of Norma Lucy Corley, aged 17, he returned a verdict that deceased committed suicide by drowning in the Manawatu River at Opiki in the early hours of January 14. “1 think, it is quite apparent that this girl was unhappy at home/’ added the Coroner. “How much can bo attributed to her environment, or how much to her disposition I cannot say. I am of the opinion that she found farm life uncongenial to her after living in the town. Reading lietween the lines of the note which she left, it seems that a remark passed by her sister to the effect that it. was a pity she had come home nad been impressed upon her memory, and she was feeling 'the need of a mother’s care. In the absence of a mother she made up her mind to end her life.’’ ' Lawrence Jamieson gave evidence that on January 13 he took deceased to the speedway meeting at Palmerston North and took her home afterwards. He bade her good-bye at the fate and she appeared to go round the ack into the nouse. . Deceased had not seemed depressed and was in her usual spirits. She did not say anything to lead him to believe that she contemplated suicide. Witness said he had met deceased eight months ago at a dance, and he had frequently met her during the last three or four wooks The Coroner: Did she make any complaint about the conditions at homer No, but she said she had had a row with a sister. That was on the night of the speedway meeting. She did not tay what it was about. The Coroner: Did she say she was fed up and tired of life?—No. , The Coroner: Did she appear to be quite happy ?—Yes. FINDING OF NOTE. /. Vincent Harold Hofmann gave evidence that he was a labourer working on Mr Corley’s farm* Deceased was his sister-in-law. She had been living for a good portion of her life in Palmerston North with her grandmother. Three months before her mother died (six months ago) she went to live at Opiki. She had to milk eight cows night and morning and had to carry the hot water to wash the utensils. Witness found, a note beside the steps at the back door on January 14. In the note deceased stated that she intended to end her life in the river as she was unhappy nnd as “life isn’t worth living without a mother.’’ _ Senior-Sergeant Whitehouse: Was her life at home happy?—Well, yes. She never had any cause to be unSepiying to further questions, witness said that Muriel (his wife) and Norma’s sister had to look after the whole family and had a lot to do. She had considered that Norma was not doing her fair share of the work. Senior-Sergeant Whitehouse: Did she ever say she would clear out, that she would end it, that she was sick and tired of it? —No. The Coroner: What is this watercart referred to by deceased in the note? Witness said deceased had to bring over the hot water after milking for the washing of the separator. She finished her work at about 7 p.m. or so each day. At what time did she start work in the morning?—At 5 a.m. After the milking she was expected to help with the housework.

Did you gather the impression that she resented work at home? —No.

Was she a moody sort of a girl?— No, she was happy-go-lucky. Were you surprised when you found this letter? —Yes. Then you know of no reason why she should take her life? —No, except that she might have fretted silently for her mother, though she never showed her feelings. FATHER’S EVIDENCE.

Albert Edward Corley, farmer, of Opiki, stated that deceased was his daughter. She was about nine years of age when she went to Palmerston North, where she was educated and obtained work. She returned home of her own free will while her mother was still alive. Her mother was fond of her and used to shield her when witness chastised her for allegedly keeping bad company in Palmerston North. She was keeping in contact with the company to which witness objected while she was still at- the farm. She became dissatisfied in town when her grandmother kept her in. Senior-Sergeant Whitehouse: Did you ever try to understand Norma and gain her confidence? —I did, but she would not confide in me. Did she ever give any -indication that she was tired of it?—None at all. I.never struck her. By “chastising” I mean I reprimanded her. Senior-Sergeant Whitehouse: It is an extraordinary think that both Mr Hofmann and yourself say she was perfectly happy; yet she wrote this letter. It is absolutely evident that she was not understood, and was fed up with her troubles. Witness said he took every possible step to ensure that she was happy. She was quite a normal girl. The Coroner: What were her pastimes ? . Witness: She used to write out poetry and songs. She was a “terrible” girl to read ladies’ penny novels, and would copy verse out of the books. Did she fret over her mother’s death? —lt was not visible. There seems to have been a good deal that was not visible. —She was a hal’d girl to understand. What did she say when you remonstrated with her for her behaviour?— She never answered. Da you suggest that you had difficulty in getting her to render assistance at home?—Yes, on account of her reading and writing. But you did not expect her to slave all day?—No, she was at liberty to go where she liked in the afternoons. Witness denied to the Coroner that he had continually nagged at his daughter. A month before she disappeared he had remonstrated with her for coming in late at night, and had told her that she could go out two nights a week if she returned at a reasonable hour. He had not treated her as a stranger when she came from town, and had cultivated her friendship. The Coroner: Do you know what she means by saying “It is the only wav out of trouble” ? Witness: I. do not know. .1 have tried in every way to find out any possible cause. After Constable Miller had given evidence relating to the discovery, of the body, the Coroner returned a verdict as stated.