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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9062, 24 May 1888, Page 4

We print in another column a full report of the inquest on Mrs. Mackenzie, who was found dead on the banks of the Wairoa River, at Mangawhare, on Monday, as stated in our yesterday's impression. Every witness seems to have been examined who could throw any light on the case, and they all seem to have spoken openly and freely, yet there is no clue given. The theory of suicide is almost excluded. Deceased had just been at church, and she had been in the company of several persons. She was apparently of a selfreliant and cheerful disposition ; she was not brooding over any trouble, or showing any symptoms of mental depression. The highest testimony is borne as to the character of deceased, not only by residents in the locality, as stated by our correspondent, but by those in Auckland who knew her. One peculiar feature of the case is the outrage spoken of as having been committed some time since, when Mrs. Mackenzie's house was entered, and a dress ripped up and bespattered with mud, out of spite. It is stated that since that time Mrs. Mackenzie has been afraid to go out after dark alone. It is difficult to think that men would go into a woman's house, and out of spite do anything so childish as tear a dress. But if that were done, why should she feel fear of personal violence? We may remark that a search does not appear to have been made in Mrs. Mackenzie's house for any document which might throw light upon anything which might affect her. The case is one for a thorough investigation by the police.