THE HAUTAPU SUICIDE

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14764, 1 October 1921, Page 5

THE HAUTAPU SUICIDE

INQUEST ON MRS STEWART. (Special to Times.) , CAMBRIDGE, Friday. | The inquest concerning the death.' of the late .Mrs Ellen Theresa Stewart, wife of Mr "Dick" Stewart, of Ilautapu, who was found dead in a spare rodroom in "heir home yesterday morning, with her throat cut and a razor in her hand, was held at Mr Geo. Dickinson's residence, Cambridge, today, Mr 11. A. Young, District Coroner, presiding. Waller Slaplcy, medical practitioner, residing at Cambridge, stated that at about S.'io yesterday morning he was called to the house of Cuke Errold Stewart at llaulapu, and found the body of deceased lying on the floor in the bedroom with her throat cut and a lazor grasped in the right hand. The floor was flooded with blood. Upon examining, witness found the body was lifeless. With the exception of the gash in the throat there were no marks .if violence. Witness considered death would 'have occurred within a minute. He was of opinion that wound was selfinflicted and was llic cause of dcalh. Deceased must have been insane at the time she committed the act. The house was spotlessly clean and every thing was in order. Deceased had evidently been taken with the desire to do away witli herself when al the sink, as close by was a chair in an unusual position, and immediately below a shelf where witness found a razor case (produced). James F. Clcary, police officer, of Cambridge, gave evidence as to the finding of deceased's body. Edward Taylor, a. lad of 11, said be was residing with deceased, and yesterday morning at 7.45 he left the house to go with the cows. Deceased was then alive and well and. was bathing the baby. Witness knew the husband had left for his work. Witness returned at 8.50 a.m. and found deceased lying on the floor with the razor in her hand, and her throat, cut, apparently dead. Luke Errold Stewart, sworn, said he was a filter in the employ of the Power Board, hut has a small farm at liautapu and resides there . Deceased was alive and in good spirits when witness left home at 7 yesterday morning to go to his work. Soon after 8 a.m. Russell Shaw, a farm hand, of Hautapu, called him to come I" his home. Witness [ound the baby sitting on the floor in Liic kitchen near the boy's bedroom, and the body of his wife in the bedroom. Witness had not noticed anything strange about his wife, though she had a few days ago complained of pains ill her head. Deceased had been in splendid health. The Conmer returned the following verdict: —'That the deceased died on September 2911], 1921, al Ilautapu, from wounds self-inflicted with a razor while of unsound mind." The late Mrs Stewart was a daughter of Mrs O'Keefc, of Fcncourt, and was well and favourably known in the district. The bereaved relations have the sympathy of a very large circle of friends. Deceased leaves a baby boysix months old.