MOBBING AT A FUNERAL

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3492, 30 October 1926, Page 15

MOBBING AT A FUNERAL

HUSBAND HISSED BY WOMEN. “BET'S HAVE HIM OUT.” Three hundred women hissed a husband at the funeral of his wife and daughter at Willosdon recently, and tried to drag him from the coach in which he was riding’. The funeral was that of Mrs. Ada Pctchley and her two-years-old daughter, Kathleen, who died of gas poisoning^ Mrs and Mrs Petchiey. lived with the husband’s parents, and after a quarrel a week previous to the tragedy. Petchiey left his wife , and daughter. The mother and child were found gassed in the house, and a verdict that the mother had murdered the child and committed suicide was returned at the inquest. The coroner, at the request of the jury, censured the husband. When the mourners left the house neighbours surrounded the coaches and several women made a rush to get at the husband.

He was protected by the undertaker’s men, who assisted him into the carriage and guarded it. Women booed and shouted and a rush was then made at the outside door of the coach, a woman i-aising the cry of ’’Lot’s have him out.” The husband however, held on to the handle of the door and the driver was instructed to get away quickly. Other members of the family were also greeted with hisses and booos when they left the house.

At the "cmetcry a crowd of 300 women assembled. The husband, who was in a state of collapse, was supported by his. mother anr sister. As Pctchley left the grave there was another hostile demonstration, but he was protected by officials of the cemetery and the clergyman who conducted the service. As the coach drove supported by his mother and sister, the top.