A GIRL’S DEATH

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1929, Page 3

A GIRL’S DEATH

CAUSE UNCERTALN. [By Telegraph, I’er Press Association.’’ AUCKLAND, January 80. Regarding the death of Laura Freda Lewis, aged 21, a seamstress:, residing with her parents at Morningside, it is now considered that death was caused by cerebral haemorrhage, unsuspected, and apparently precipitated by her ex ertion in quietening a harking dog Miss Lewis went lo a picture theatre last night with her fiance, and after r lighL supper with Lite family, her fiance left at II o’clock, and Mis-: Lewis retired to sleep on a coach, on account of the presence ol guests. About 2..'in, Miss Lewis awnkuned Ik" brother Reginald, aged 1!), and -oii.plained of a noise made by a dog which was kept close to the room in whieii vile was sleeping. Both went outside. The animal was quietened, and Miss Lewis went to her parents’ room before retiring. *■ She seemed satisfied that the do - would keep (piiet, and there was nothing unusual m her manner,” hot mother said. 11 A few minutes later we heard a very loud thud. I could not believe Freda had fallen out ol bed. .She tried to talk to us, but one convulsion followed another, and she kept putting her hands to her bead.” Miss Lewis was taken to the hospital, and died at five o’clock. I'or some time she had been suffering Iron) headaches, and was subject to very sudden sleepiness. She had consulted throe doctors. A tonic was procured for her, on the assumption that (he trouble was gastric. A post mortem examination revealed that Che young woman suffered from abnormally high blood pressure, following chronic kidney disease. WliiMi the inquest was opened this afternoon, reference was made to the possibility of poison having been accessible to the young woman, but lies father said nothing dangerous was kept in the house. The inquest was adjourned.