THE NAIKE TRAGEDY.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1918, Page 4

THE NAIKE TRAGEDY.

INSANITY OF FATHER. HAMILTON, Nov. 1. All inquest was held before Mr Rawsou, to-day touching tile death of Joan Violet Morine, aged three months, who was the victim of an attack by her father, at Naike, on October 23rd. The evidence of the mother was to the effect that her husband stayed at home from October 20th to 23rd, during which time he complained of being ill. About 5 p.m. on the 23rd, witness, her husband, and the child were in the house together. Witness was speaking on the telephone to a neighbour, Mrs Griffon, the others being in an adjoining room. While at the telephone, she heard the child scream, and running into the room she.found the child lying on the bed with blood streaming from her eyes. Tier husband had a tablefork in his hand. Asked how he could hurt a hahv like that, lie replied it had to he done.” Witness told her husband, who she knew must be out of liis mind, (he lmd been in a mental.hospital before), to go and get the cows, and rang tip Mrs Griffon, and asked her to come to her assistance and get a doctor. Before Mrs Griffen arrived, her husband returned and tried to get into the house, hut site had the' door fastened. ‘ With Mrs Griffen she went with the child to another neighbour’s house. On Dr Martin’s arrival the child was attended to and taken to the hospital next day. A verdict was returned that deceased died from injuries inflicted by her father, who was undoubtedly insane . Morine was not present, Dr. Stride’s certificate stating that he was of unsound mind.