MRS BOYLE’S DEATH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19661, 1 December 1933, Page 12

MRS BOYLE’S DEATH

EVIDENCE AT INQUIRY. By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, November 30. The inquest into the death of Mrs Rosa Howard Boyle, wife of Mr Alister Patrick Boyle, of Pleasant Point, was concluded to-day before Mr H. P. Lawry, Coroner, a verdict of accidental death by drowning being returned. Yesterday evidence of identification was given by Francis F. T. Northcote. of Waiau, and J. M'Farlane, also cf Walau, who found the body at 2 p.m. nearly opposite the Rotherham Hospital. Mr Northcote stated that the body was found on a sand spit but resting in the stream. It was dressed in a bathing suit. They moved it to the bank and immediately advised Constable Sterritt. Constable Sterritt said that round Marble Island there were a number of pools shut off from the river, which at present was low. Footmarks, presumably those of Mrs Boyle, were in evidence at the locality until they reached- a sloping rock. It was possible that a person with wet feet would slip and fall on the rock, which sloped right down to the main stream. The river was 15 feet deep and flow-ed at the rate of about 14 miles an hour. Evidence of Husband. Alister Patrick Boyle, stock agent, of Pleasant Point, who was represented by Mr D. E. Wanklyn, gave evidence to-day. He said that there had been a child born four months ago. It was normal and in good health. Mrs Boyle had been in hospital for a time and was suffering from insomnia. Later she went to a rest house at Cashmere, where she was pronounced cured. As advised by a doctor, witness and his wife went to Hanmer for a holiday. Mrs Boyle showed no signs of mental strain but merely physical exhaustion after a day out of doors. There was no suggestion that she would do away with herself. While she was at Hanmer. Mrs Boyle required no medical attention. They made the usual ex- j cursions, Ymetimes together, and on other occasions Mrs Boyle went out alone sketching. Witness said he had no cause for anxiety about his wife. On Tuesday of last week, with others, they had a bathing picnic at Marble Point on the Waiau River. Mrs Boyle thought the spot ideal and they decided to stop there for lunch on the following day when on their way back to Christchurch. Mrs Boyle had a bathe and then walked out of sight. Witness went to look for her but could not find her. The theory of Constable Sterritt, of j Culverden, that she had slipped on a rock and fallen into the stream was j quit in accord with the circumstances. I Witness added that his wife was a j fair swimmer, but he did not think anyone would have attempted to swim ! in the main stream. The river swept ! hard in against the rock at that point. |