DEATH OF WOMAN

Northern Advocate, 28 November 1936, Page 2

DEATH OF WOMAN

SUICIDE VERDICT AT INQUEST

A verdict of suicide was returned by the coroner, Mr G. H. Morrish, at the adjourned inquest yesterday afternoon, into the death of Mrs Alice Hill, aged 60, of 23 First Avenue. Deceased was found in an unconscious state in the old library at the Town Hall, on November 17, and died subsequently in the Whangarei Hospital.

Mabel Allan, of 21, First Avenue, said she lived next door to Mrs Hill and had always found her to be of a bright disposition. Witness said she knew that Mrs Hill had not been sleeping well and was suffering from nerves. She had been attended by a doctor about two weeks before her death.

William Purvis, grocer’s assistant, said a lady came into the shop on the morning of November 17 and bought a bottle of disinfectant and a small tin of beans. When she got the disinfectant she asked if it was poison and he read her the instructions on the bottle, pointing out to her that it was poisonous to humans. He later heard that the lady was dead, and recognised her from the description. . The medical superintendent at the Whangarei District Hospital, Dr J. W. Hall, said Mrs Hill was admitted in a deeply unconscious state. Her stomach was washed out and there were definite signs of disinfectant or some similar substance. Death occurred at 12.20 p.m. and was due to coma, due to poisoning.

Joseph Mariott Johnson, custodian at the Town ilall, said he saw the door of the old library ajar and found a lady sitting on a chair. She was semiconscious and was breathing 'heavily. The police and ambulance, were- com-

municated with. Among her possessions was found a note which read;

“God forgieve me for what I have done.” Later, a bottle which had contained poison was found. Constable J. Norris and Constable H. J. Harrington gave evidence of having found deceased at the Town Hall.

The coroner said that the circumstances had been very sad and the sympathy of the Court would be extended to Mr Hill. It would appear that Mrs Hill had undergone a lengthy period of insomnia, which had caused her severe nervous trouble, • and it would appear that this had influenced her mind to take the action she had. The verdict was one of suicide by poisoning, while in a state of mental depression, the cause of death being in accordance with the medical evidence.