The Auckland Tragedy.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1922, Page 4

The Auckland Tragedy.

“I’M SO UNHAPPY.” PATHETIC LETTER FROM THE UNFORTUNATE GIRL. AUCKLAND, June 2. At the inquest touching the death of Ina Mary Naldcr, 24 years of age, and Betty Naldcr, six years of age, the victims of the Strand Arcade tragedy, tlie coroner (Mr J. \V. Boynton, S.M.) returned a verdict “That the deceased, Ina Mary Naldcr, committed suicide while insane, and that Petty Naldcr either went over or was pushed over the rail from the fourth storey of the Strand Arcade building with or by Ina Mary Naldcr, while she was in a state of insanity.”

A QUIET AND RESPECTABLE GIRL. The first witness was John Edward Dieketts, superintendent of the Pacific Cable Board Company in Auckland. The deceased, he stated, Ilia Naldcr, had been employed in the office since January 20th, 1919, as an abstract clerk. She was twenly-six years of age. Witness last saw her at live minutes to ten a.in. at the office iii the Post Office building. There was nothing in her deineaiioiis to atrtaet his attention, and she never exhibited signs of depression, and to bis knowledge bad no reason for committing suicide. Deceased was a very quiet and respectable girl. “THE REAL TRUTH.’ Albert A. Brown, owner of the Stoneburst boardinghouse, Symoiids street, next deposed that lie knew both the deceased. He identified one of the bodies as that of Betty Naldcr, who was the adopted child of Ina Xalder’s mother. Mrs Naldcr died some ■ two years ago, and the adopted child Petty was automatically handed to her daughter, the deceased. Deceased was very fond of the child, which was about six years old. The little girl was admitted to the Auckland Hospital (luring the Christmas holidays suffering from a broken arm, and yesterday morning Ina Nnlder went to tbe hospital and got her, stating that she was going to give her a “treat” and would bring her back to tbe hospital in the afternoon. Yesterday was the first time that the little girl had been out of the institution.

Witness’s daughter, who was very friendly with the deceased, received the following note from her:— “M.v dear Esther, —The real truth oT the cause of my death is that Alan Rotorua. It lias broken my heart. I am taking Petty with me. because this is not a happy world at tbe best of times, and it would be a shame to leave her to face it alone. l-bye. Esther. May you have the best of luck. Please do not worry about me.— Ina.”

Sergeant C’app also gave evidence arid finding the bodies and tbe coat and handbag of tbe deceased. ■■[ CANNOT LIVE ANY LONGER.” Tbe coroner then aliened the letter which was found addressed to him in the bag recovered l*y the police altei the woman had tiling hers It over the rails. This was sent from the Pacific Cable Hoard, and said that tbe writer was too unhappy, and she could not live lunger. She gave ins’ructions that her money, about' Cl2oo. should he given to the' Auckland. Hospital. The coroner stated, in reluming the verdict as given above, that it was quite- obvious that the young woman was in a state- of unsound mind, and that he did not think iiniVr the circnmstnneos that it was necessary to relit! n a verdict of wilful minder and suicide.