A GIRL'S SUICIDE

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1928, Page 1

A GIRL'S SUICIDE

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

INVERCARGILL, Alav 9

At the inquest into the girl. May Soper’s death, the mother of the. deceased, Airs J. IL Soper, said that at times she thought her daughter looked wqrried. She knew, about a month ago. that her daughter was : n (.rouble an ! had asked her about it. The girl admitted it, hut she had never indicated that it was her intention to commit suicide, nor had she said who was iesponslhlo for her condition. Airs R. E. Soper, daughter-in-law of the previous witness, said that when she went to call A lay, she found her liing across the bed, apparently in great pain.

Witness asked what was wrong, hut she received no answer. A\ itness had occasion to leave Afay and to go to the township in the afternoon, and she did not see her go to the cupboard, where strychnine, was kept, while the doctor v. as present. A piece of bread (produced), was found on the dressing table. Tt had been butteied and smeared with strychnine. One bite had been taken out of It. Robert Edward Soper, brother of the deceased, gave evidence as to administering an emetic, which did not cause sickness, fie had been using strychnine for rabbit-poisoning, and had kept it in a cupboard in the kitchen. The bottle produced was nearly full, and ho could see that a good deal had been taken out of it. He identified the handwriting on a note found as that of the deceased. The note road: “Alv hike and useful things I leave to Edie (an •’’ldor sister). Anything else can be divided among the others. ,Yeti Coroner James Yard, J■ ■■ returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased had committed suicide by taking strychnine while suffering from a severe strain.