MOUNT ALBERT TRAGEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18773, 29 July 1924, Page 9

MOUNT ALBERT TRAGEDY.

(EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. INSANITY OF THE MOTHER. A SEQUEL :TO DELUSIONS. . *''/ 1. . ' : • : EVIDENCE OF A i DOCTOR.

The tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs. Helena Harriet at her horce at Mount Albert out Sunday afternoon, and the death of her nine-ytiar-old son, Harold Charles D'Ath, were investigated at an inquest yesterday before the coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. Sergeant Felton represented the police.

Dr. J. F. G. Richards deposed that be bad attended Mrs. D'Ath since June 7„ She was in poor health, and had not fully recovered from an' attack of diphtheria.. Witness attributed her condition to general debility, and was not satisfied wit!\ deceased's mental condition, although he did not think thers was any cause for anxiety. Mrs. D'Ath told witness she had been taking a prescription made up by a herbalist. When she was suffering from delusions she complained that some one had administered strychnine to her in small doses. Witness advised her to obtain the services of a trained nurse., and he instructed the nurse in the treatment of: the patient.. He mentioned th-it Mrs. D'Ath was suffering from nervous trouble. Previous Attempt on Life. The Coroner (to witness): This tragedy might have been averted if the warp an had been treated as a mental patient? Witness: I' did not think there was any danger. The Coroner: Did you know she had [ attempted to oommit suicide on June 21 by cutting her wrist with a pair of scissors ?—Tea. I did not stipulate that she should not be left alone, out it was understood she worJd have to be carefully watched. I raised the question of the accessibility of sharp instruments with /Mr," D'Ath at that time, but did not give any direct instructions. Witness said deceased's mental condition improved until about four days before the tragedy. Her delusions then returned, and she was continualljr making references to poison. On Satuirday she was baSly affected, but witness did not regard this as a dangerous sign, as her mental distortion was compatible with her low state of physical health. The Coroner: Did yon think her condition warranted her committal to an institution? —No. Statement by the Nur.se. Florence Elizabeth Jamea-Wfelluce, registered nurse, stated that she was engaged by Mr. D'Ath three wseks ago. She received instructions from _ the doctor, but was not told Mrs. D'Ath was mentally afflicted or had attempted to oommit suicide. For the firsit fortnight witness found the patient mmrotic, but waa ss.tisfied with her mental condition.. Last Friday deceased's condition was unsatisfactory, and witness advised the doctor that there were symptoms of mental trouble. Witness then learned that deceased had attempted to take her life bv cutting her wrist. To the Coroner: Neither the doctor nor .. the husband of deceased requested witness to keep Mrs. D'Ath under continual observation. Continuing, witness said that deceased spoke to her about her ill-health, and referred to her delusions concerning poison. She seemed to thinJc a former nurse had given her strychnine. On Sunday morning deceatwd spent about two hours writing lettera. She showed one to witness, who remarked upon a reference 'to poisoning, and tried *£o reasiiure Mrs. D'Ath. Heard the Child's Cries. After dinner deceased appeared to go to sleep, but she later walked into the*hikil and asked for the boy, Haiold. Witness saw deceased put her hartd upon the child's lshoulder anci draw nun into the bathroom. The door wa3 then shut, and witness heard D'Ath whispering. There was no cause f?,xr suspicion until witness tried to open the door and found it looked. She was; puzzled, and was going to find Mr. D'Ath when she heard the cliiftd scream repeatedly. Witness roshed to the bathroom window, and found Mrs. D'Ath staggering about the room with a razor in ner hand. There was no sign of the child, and witness asked what had happened. M::s. D'Ath replied: "I have cut my throat _ and Harold's, too." Death occurred within two minutes. The door had been unfastened. Witness rushed in search of th® child and met Mr. D'Ath, who said, "Harold's gone; he is dead." .

" Cannot L«t Harold SuSer."

Edward Arthur D'Ath, husband of deceased, deposed that he was aware Jiis ■wife suffered from delusions. She had been in bad health for several years. .The first warning witness had of the tragic occurrence wan when he was culled by the nurse. He was running into the house when the boy cams out of the back door and collapsed into his _ arms. The child died immediately. Witness wife died in his presence a few moments after he entered the bathroom. After reading a letter written by the nnfortunato . "woman shortly before her death the coroner returned a verdict that Mrs D'Ath had committed suicide while insane, and had while in this condition killed her son, Harold. , • A distressing' reference to tue impending tragedy was made by deceased in the letter, in which she said: "I cannot let my dear Harold suffer. I 'wish I could take them all with me.