THE INQUEST.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 16949, 10 April 1917, Page 5

THE INQUEST.

CHRISTCHURCH, April 9. The inquest on Henrietta Louisa Foster, the victim of the View Hili murder, was held to-day, by -Mr. Jiaiiey, S.M.. who returned a verdict- that The cause of death was syrcope following on the throat of the girl having been cut, and that the evidence pointed +o the fact that the act was commit'cwd by Chas. Butler. Dr. Bagley gavo evidence that 3h -weeks ago Butler consulted him about his mental condition, and witness sent him to Christchurch. J'Jie Coroner pointed out that this evidence could only be taken at subsequent proceedings. Miss Foster was engaged to a resident of Lyttelton. Butler was apparently jealous, and stated to some people, including the girl's father, "1 will get Hettie yet."

No now facts of importance were elicited. When Butler reached View Hill post office at midday on Sunday, he said to a resident, "I've d(?ne lor Hettie Foster." In reply to a question, Butler repeated his remark. Ther.e was blood on Butler's right hand, nhirt collar and cuff. He was very <?xcited. He told this witness he had tried-to-do away with himself by getting into a well, but there wa» not water enough to drown him. Butler +old a constable who arrived shortly afterwards "I'm done, I'm done. I killed Hettie Foster.'' The constable who examined the hody said there were no signs of a struggle. An open r^ztir covered with bloo^ was found near the body. Beside the razor was a piece of paper, on which was written, "You will find my body in a well over the river." A doctor who made a post mortem said the girl's throat was cut right down to the backbone. There were no other marks of violence about the body. The ""irl was in bed when her parents left to go to church. Evidence showed she had got iip late and had got Butler's breakfast. Presumrbly they breakfasted together.