A SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11486, 20 January 1903, Page 6

A SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

A DEJIENTED MOTHER'S CRIME.

(PBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)DUNEDIN, January 19. Information has been received that a manned -woman named Elizabeth Mayhead. drowned her baby in a bath, and committed suicide herself by lying on top of the child in the bath. The affair occurred at the North East Valley. t Particulars concerning the tragedy show that Mrs Mayhead was 36 years of age. She was the wife of a carpenter, who was formerly contractor. She woe a superior woman, was well spoken of by her neighbours, and on the best terms with S«r husband. A Church of England clergyman had visited the house, and shortly afterwards sheitold her little girl to go out and play with the baby, while she did s<gne work. Soaie time later the ,girl returned, but could not find her mother. She noticed the bathroom door locked. The girl went to a neighbour and asked for her tuother. On mentioning about /the bathroom door being locked ' the neighbour went-to the house* The door was forced open ; and the woman and her littl* 'boy, five years old, were found dead in the bath." . Medical aid was at once sent for, but without avail. It is understood that since the last child wa« born the unfortunate woman has suffered from delusions and insomma, and was being medically attended. It is supposed insomnia led to her mind becoming unhinged.

The husband, who works in a sawmill, woe α-little late in getting bonw. otherwise he might have arrived in time to prevent the tragedy.