HOME TRAGEDY

Waikato Times, Volume 131, Issue 21750, 9 June 1942, Page 4

HOME TRAGEDY

HOUSE GUTTED BY FIRE STORY TOLD AT INQUEST % AUCKLAND, Monday j An inquest was opened before the i coroner, Mr F. K. Hunt, into the | death of Miss Edith At ford, whose ! body was recovered from the harbour i at Northcote on Saturday night. George William Afford, gasfitter, said he lived with deceased, his sister, who was aged 36, at 13 Ryle Street, Ponsonby, where their mother also lived. “My sister had been in ill-health for some years and suffered practically from birth with epileptic fits,” witness said. “She took fits fairly frequently, and mostly at night-time. " His sister was a patient in the mental hospital for two periods. Miss Atford never showed suicidal tendencies. “About 8 p.m. on Saturday I received information that my sister was causing trouble.’’ witness continued. “I immediately returned home and was told she had assaulted my mother by striking her on the head with a poker. She had'set fir? to the house and the fire had spread through the house, which is practical Iv gutted. My sister was then | missing.’’ The inquest was adjourned. The person who made an attempt : to save Miss Attnrd from drowning I was a youth of 18. Robert McKeatng. of Northrcte. He dived into the water near the Northcote ferry wharf, alter discarding hi.- coat, shirt and shoes. He searched uir uccessfully for five minutes.