DEATH FROM BURNS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21520, 17 June 1933, Page 13

DEATH FROM BURNS

ROTORUA WOMAN'S FATE EVIDENCE AT INQUEST [from OUR OWN correspondent") ROTORUA, Friday The inquest into the death of Mrs. Ivy Florence Munro, wife of Mr. F. T. j Munro, on June 10, was concluded by j the//coroner, Mr. W. L. Richards. Mrs. ' Munro was found shortly after mid- j night, in the yard of her home suffering from serious burns and shock. Dr. S. H. Hay, in his evidence, said that the deceased had suffered from a j very unstable nervous system and he considered that she had worried about her mother's death. On being called to the home of the deceased he found that she had severe burns about the body, limbs and head. She was conscious and told him that she had poured benzine over her nightdress, set alight to it and; expected death to follow. He ' supervised her removal to King George V. Hospital. He had attended the deceased professionally for about two years but she had never previously stated a desire to take her life. Harry Crokor, a masseur, said that on the early morning of June 10 he was called bv his brother-in-law, Mr Munro, who told him that Mrs. Munro hnd burned herself. When he arrived he found Mrs. Munro lying in the fowlrun. She expressed regret for the tmbble she had caused. He found tha* .she had been sererely burned. She did not say at that time that she had deliberately poured the benzine on herself, but by her statement of apology he concluded that her action had been deliberate. She was wrapped in a rug., • Witness said he had known deceased for- 15 years and she and her husband were a most devoted couple. Deceased was of a very nervous condition, but had never threatened to take her life. tn his finding the coroner said that he was satisfied that deceased met her death on the morning of June 10 from burns received when she had saturated her clothing with benzine and deliberately set alight to herself. The depressed state of her health for some time prior to her death had apparently prompted her to take this action.