DEAD IN BATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 226, 24 September 1929, Page 7

DEAD IN BATH.

CALIFONT TURNED ON.

POINT CHEVALIER TRAGEDY.

YOUNG WOMAN'S SUICIDE

VISITOR FROM KING COUNTRY.

With the gas of a califont turned on and all points of ventilation blocked, Flora Hewitt, an unmarried woman, aged 2U years, was found lying dead in a bath at 0.30 tliia. morning at the home of Mr. and Mrs. L.D. N r . Slaekworlh, 203, Point Chevalier Road, where she had been stopping for six weeks as a friend while undergoing treatment in Auckland under a nerve specialist.

Deceased, when found, was fully dressed and lying on a. rug in the otherwise empty bath. She came to Auckland from Kakahi, near Taumarunui, where her people reside. She had been in ill-health and during the past six weeks had, on different occasions, expressed her intention of committing suicide, but .Mr. and Mrs. Blackworth talked her out of the idea. During the past week she had been much better and her friends were hopeful of her recovery. When she retired last night at about 10 o'clock she was in excellent spirits.

When Mr. Black worth got up at 6.30 this morning he noticed a smell of gas, and on going to the bathroom found that the door was locked by means of the catch inside. He burst open the door and was distressed to make the tragic discovery.

The matter was reported o the police and the coroner, Mr. F. K. Jlunt, ordered a post mortem examinatjor to be made. H" 1 . also made arrangements to open the inquest later in the day.