OPEN VERDICT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23213, 6 December 1938, Page 11

OPEN VERDICT

DEATH OF MISS HARE EVIDENCE AT INQUEST CORONER'S DIFFICULTIES (Received December 5, 9.55 p.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 5 A coroner inquired to-day into the circumstances attending the death of Miss Muriel Hare, aged 35, of Dunedin, who was killed by a fall from the roof of the Hotel Australia on November 26. Medical evidence revealed that Miss Hare had been suffering from "depressive neurosis," but she gave no indication of suicidal tendencies. Mrs. Adeline Beckett, of New Zealand, a sister of deceased, gave evidence that Miss Hare had an electromedical institute in Dunedin and must have been making between £IOOO and £ISOO a year. "She was blessed with everything she could want, and therefore had no reason to commit suicide,'' said witness. 0"~ The coroner, recording an open finding, said he was unable to ascertain from the evidence whether it was a case of accident or suicide. There was a strong suggestion that Miss Hare took her own life, yet there seemed to be no reason for such an act. "I find it difficult to understand how a person could fall accidentally from the roof of the Hotel Australia,-which is protected by a parapet, save for one small gap, where deceased's handbag was found, and not one person saw her fall to the roadway," added the coroner.