BURNED TO DEATH

Southland Times, Issue 17792, 22 July 1916, Page 5

BURNED TO DEATH

(Per United Press Association.) DUNEDIN, July 21. A distressing fatality has been reported at Ravensbourne. Upon returning at 9.50 last night from Port Chalmers George Anderson, a carpenter, found the house locked up. On effecting an entrance he discovered his wife, Thomasina Anderson, aged 36, lying in the passage, apparently having been burned to death, Only a vestige of clothing was left on her. Fire from the burning garments had burned through th© oilcloth, and also through a board an inch thick where she lay. It is believed the fatality was the result of mental illness. Bank books and gold articles were found burnt in tho fireplace. . THE INQUESTDUNEDIN. July 21. Mr Bartholomew, coroner, held an inquest at Ravensbourne to-day concerning the death of Mrs Thomasina Anderson. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased had been admitted to Seacliff Mental Hospital in January, and was discharged about three weeks later. She suffered from hallucinations, but went about her household duties as usual. She must have been seized with a sudden suicidal tendency. She had smashed some of the furniture, sprinkled kerosene about liberally, and set fire to the chairs and sofa in a room. The wonder was that the place was not burnt down. The Coroner found that death was due to shock from burning, self-inflicted, the deceased being of unsound mind at the time.