A WOMAN’S SUICIDE.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1924, Page 4

A WOMAN’S SUICIDE.

— WORRIED BY DOAIESTIC Dll' FERENCES.

WELLINGTON, March 10 Distressed hv domestic difference!!

arising out of » certain accusation by

her husband an elderly woman left her home at, Poplar Grove, Thermion, on Wednesday night and committed suicide by drowning herself at Island Bay. The following morning a note was found in a pocket of deceased's coat. It alleged that her “husband had driven her to it,” and a letter which arrived by post outlined the following wish, “I hope my spirit will haunt you till the end for the way you have treated me.” These circumstances were placed before the Coroner, .Mr E. J’age, at an inquest touching the death of a married woman named .Agnes Jessie Rogers. Called by Sergeant Bill lor, who represented the police, James Reiloy, labourer, said at Island Bay at about 8 a.in. on Thursday while searching for driftwood along the coast lie noticed the body of a woman floating in the water near the rocks at Nookv Point. The body was fully dressed with the exception of hat and boots, and, wading out, witness recovered it.

James Rogers, wafersider, living at •22, Poplar Grove, Thorndon, said deceased was his wife, with whom ho had until recently lived happily. There had been silght differences.

Sergeant Butler: Bid you accuse her of something recently Witness: Yes, and after a lot. of persuasion she admitted it.

When was that?: Last Sunday morning. Continuing, witness said that on the evening of Wednesday last lie had to go to work at 5.30 and when he kissed his wife good-bye she said: “Good-bye. It may he for ever.” Witness replied, “Don’t he silly.. Try to collect your thoughts, as you know I have forgiven you.” “When I returned home at 8.30 p.m.,” added witness, “she was not there, and I found a note from her on the dressing table. It said ‘You cannot trust me. Good-liye.’ ” Witness communicated with the rest of the family, but failed to ascertain his wife’s whereabouts. The- following morning ho received a letter from her couched in the following terms. “I hope my spirit will haunt yon till the end for the way you have treated me.” The Coroner: Did the matter she confessed to you have reference to another man ? Witness: Yes.

What frame of mind was she in before she left?—She was in a normal state of mind. Constable Baker, of Island Bay, gave evidence as to removal of the body to the morgue. A note in deceased’s handwriting was found in tho pocket of her coat, and it stated, “Arv husband, drove me to it.” The Coroner remarked that it was clear that deceased had taken her own life. Apparently she was in a worried state of mind owing to domestic differences. “That, is all I propose to comment on that aspect,” he added. “My finding is that deceased committed suicide by drowning herself at Island Bay.”