DEATH OF MRS. CHRISTENSEN

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1933, Page 10

DEATH OF MRS. CHRISTENSEN

FINDING AT PATEA INQUEST. RECENT DROWNING FATALITY. A verdict in accordance with the evidence was returned at the adjourned inquest held at Patea on Thursday into the circumstances of the death of Mrs. L. Christensen. A. T. Christensen, the husband, stated that he left his wife in good spirits when he went to attend a wool sale at Auckland.* Since losing their son at the war she had not had the best of health. About six years ago she had a nervous breakdown and was at the Patea, Hanmer and Wanganui hospitals. She slipped and fractured her wist on September 9 last and suffered considerable pain since. She preferred to remain at home alone in witness’ absence. In witness’ opinion, after making her usual preparations for retiring Mrs. Christensen must have had a repetition of the pains she occasionally suffered. This pain, together with the belief that her wrist would never be right again, caused her mind to be temporarily deranged. R. A. Adams said he saw Mrs. Christen at 1.30 p.m. on Sunday and at about 8 p.m. or 10 p.m. on the same day. There was nothing unusual about her appearance to attract attention. Mrs. G. I- Paterson, next door neighbour, stated that Mrs. Christensen had not had good health and since breaking her wrist had been depressed. At about 6.30 a.m. on Monday last a pencilled note was found on witness’ bedroom floor near the open window. After reading the note witness found Mrs. Christensen’s house locked. Witness communicated with the police. Norman Railton stated that while he and his brother were in a boat near the bridge on Monday morning they noticed something floating and on examination found it to be the body. With their father’s help they brought it ashore. , Constable Kelly gave evidence regarding the finding of Mrs. Christensen’s hat, coat, shoes and spectacles on the wharf. He afterwards went to the rear of " Aitchison’s timber yard, where he saw the body, which had just been brought ashore. The coroper said it was clear from the evidence that Mrs. Christensen had met her death by drowning in the Patea River, and the verdict would be in accordance with the evidence. He tendered his sympathy to the husband and family.