A SAD TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1930, Page 4

A SAD TRAGEDY

DEATH OF SINGLE WOMAN. | By Telegraph, Per Press Association.j AUCKLAND, November 9. A single woman, aged 25, was found dead on the floor in her room at an apartment house in Grafton Road. A few foot away lay a healthy female ha by. TJ<" unfortunate young woman was a half caste Maori. Site had evidently hied to drain alter giving birth to the child. The police' state that there is no suggestion that any illegal act was the cause of the young woman’s death, which appeared to have resulted trom natural causes.

THE INQUEST. M A GISTR ATE ’ S STRICTUR ES. AUCKLAND, November 9. ‘‘She died like a dog,” remarked Magistrate Hunt at the inquest to-day concerning Emily Marie Retmeyer, 25, a half caste Maori, who was found dead on the floor of a room in an apartment house on Saturday afternoon. The police were called in and searching the room found q newly born baby girl wrapped in a quilt. The baby was well and healthy and is now being cared for in a receiving home. Detectives learned that none of the occupants of the adjoining apartments had seen the girl since Thursday night, James Smith Ormiston, 22, who has admitted to be responsible for the girl’s condition, said she never told him of it. On Saturday he'received q, letter from her requesting him to call as soon as possible. He called about 3?L5 in the afternoon and found her dead. They were not engaged to be married, hut he had intended to marry her as soon as he was able.

Detective Sergeant Doyle said tlie young man had ‘been very casual. The Coroner: “He was. He must have known, but be took ,no steps. It is a disgraceful thing. Here this, poor girl dies like a dog in a room. Surely the people in the house, must have known of her condition.”

Detective Dovle: “It appears she died not confiding in anyone.” The inquest was adjourned.