SCHOOL TEACHER’S DEATH

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1933, Page 7

SCHOOL TEACHER’S DEATH

OTHER FACTS COME TO LIGHT

EXHUMATION OF THE BODY MADE.

DETAILED POLICE INVESTIGATION.

DISSATISFACTION OF RELATIVES.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Dec. 18.

On September 17 Miss Jessie M. Fendall, teacher at the Otekaieke special school, was found unconscious at the foot of an 11-foot bank of a dry creek bed near the school. There were • two severe wounds on the forehead. She was removed to the Oamaru hospital, but died on September 25 without regaining consciousness.

Very little information was obtainable at the time, but certain other facts have since come to light. It appears that when Miss Fendall was- found her shoes had been removed, and lying alongside was also a book she had taken to read. Apart from injuries to the forehead there was no other bruise or graze on any other part of the body. Her Auckland relatives apparently are not entirely satisfied that the injuries were caused by a fall from the bank and have been instrumental in having an intensive investigation made by the police. The body was exhumed last week. No further details, however, are yet available and the police have given no indication of the belief that the affair is other than an accident.

HEAD WOUNDS ONLY INJURY

EXHUMATION FOR FINGER-PRINTS.

INCONSISTENCY IN FALL THEORY.

Auckland, Last Night. It was learned to-night that the body of Miss Fendall, who was assistant chief teacher at the school, was exhumed as a result of a suggestion that she had been the victim of an assault and that her death was not accidental, as was at first believed. The theory that Miss Fendall’s death was not accidental resulted from a medical examination which showed that apart from two severe wounds on the head she bore no bruises.or scratches on any other part of her body to indicate that she had fallen. It was stated, moreover, that her wristlet watch was still going, the glass being unbroken, while her coat, book and handkerchief were placed on a nearby ledge in an orderly manner not in keeping with the theory that they had fallen from the top of the bank, or that they had been so arranged by Miss Fendall ■ after she had been injured. Miss Fendall was found in a reclining position and her shoes apparent- ' ly had been removed. It was reported that rain fell in the interval of a week which elapsed between the finding of Miss Fendall and the commencement of the inquiry into the possibility of an assault. The police were thus handicapped in their investigations. A thorough search revealed no weapon. It was considered that the wounds might have been made with a pick or some similar instrumtent. . There was a north-easterly gale on the day on which Miss Fendall was injured, and the theory is held that she had taken advantage of the shelter afforded by a creek bed to enjoy a rest. The spot is said to have been used on previous occasions as a sheltering retreat in rough weather. ■ ■ Y >. - ■■- ' ' It is understood that exhumation was made to enable Miss Fendall’s fingerprints to be taken for comparison with some found on certain articles she had in her possession when she was injured. Shortly after Miss Fendall’s death an inquest was opened and was adjourned after evidence.of identification had been given. Miss Fendall was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Fendall, -103' Jervois Road, Ponsonby. She was born at Timaru and came to Auckland as a girl, being educated at the Auckland Girls’ Grammar School. She was associated with the Campbell Kindergarten and Myers Kindergarten for some years,, and went to the Otekaieke special school about seven years ago. \ /