TRAGIC DEATH.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1923, Page 2

TRAGIC DEATH.

FEARED HE'S RAND'S GFII.T. SYDNEY. Oct. :G. Thinking that her hiishaml, " I: i was being tried on a charge of conspiracy, would lie sentenced to a long term i 1 imprisonment, a. woman in Brisbane this week lett a pathetic note, in "-vli she said: "I have nothing further lo live for.” and went to death L\ ter own hand. Her husband wu.- found not guilty mid was discharged. Her -a - 'i n had been all in vain. This natlieiie story was told at the inquest on Miriam .McKenzie, who, in a note which she sent to the Criminal Investigation Branch, said that s.e intended to i oinmit suicide. Her husband, Donald .McKenzie, inane.ter of a Queensland cotton ginnery. wa.s on trial on a charge of hav ing conspired to steal money. The trial came to an end after the wife had been found dead. McKenzie "as discharged. At first lbe wife -ai in court, smiling encouragement at her Ini-band in the dock, hut afterward' she was told that her hii'halid would ho sentenced to a long term of imprisonment.

and she became depressed. She suggested to him that tlmv should take their lives together. He comforted her and told her to dismiss the thought from her mind. This she promised to

On October Oth. Ali> McKenzie was found dead. A letter which was handed to C.l. Branch read: “To the Police, — I shall die bv my own hand to-morrow morning. I can he of no further assistance to my husband, and so feel that I have nothing to live for. 1 appeal to you and to those who are bringing charges against him to consider the succession ot severe shocks to which his nerves have been subjected, and to rememlier that the man witli 100 degrees of resisting power, who failed because he was assailed by 101 degrees of temptation, should not be condemned in the minds of people who were infinitely weaker, but were never assailed by the one overwhelming degree of temptation. Out in Hi'"' sunshine, among the big

clean things in creation, 1 shall go contentedly and ealinlv. f love hit&f ami lie loves me. ami we understand each other. If any doctor will be kind enough to do so. please allow him to sever my jugular vein. Miriam AleKenzie.”