TRAGEDY IN AN ASYLUM.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13500, 9 October 1911, Page 2

TRAGEDY IN AN ASYLUM.

WANGANUI MAN BEATEN TO DEATH. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 8. A horrible tragedy occurred at the Porirna Mental Hospital about 11 o’clock on Saturday, Frank Peter Renall assaulting John William Henderson and beating him to death with a chair and his lists. Henderson was admitted to the hospital in 'April, 1903. He came from Wanganui, lie was 44 years of age and married. Renall is about the same age. He was transferred from Mount Yicw Asylum to I’orirua last' year. An attendant heard a scuffle in the room where Renall, Henderson, and six others slept. On rushing in, he found Renall on top of Henderson assaulting him with both fists. The attendant pulled Renall off, and thou found Henderson was dead. Renall said Henderson had struck him, but, he boars no marks of violence. Eight wore sleeping in the room because of luck of accommodation. An inquest was held this afternoon, the jury finding that the deceased died from shock caused by injuries inflicted by Renall while'in a state of mania. A rider was added that the attention of the Government should be drawn to the overcrowded state of the institution, thereby causing day rooms,to be used-as dormitories.