GONVILLE TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1932, Page 6

GONVILLE TRAGEDY

INQUEST VERDICT. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WANGANUI, February 5. A't the -inqiiost cm the victims of Gonviile tragedy on Monday night, the victims being Violetta Francis Gray, aged 35, and Violet Erica Cooper, her daughter aged 5, the evidence disclosed 'that Mrs Gray had, prior to the tragedy,, been attended by Doctor Cooke, for a minor aihnen't, but had made a good recovery. On Monday she went to the -city and did some shopping. As it was her birthday she sought a. saucepan and two blade razors Returning home site went straight to bed. Shortly before 10 . s lie asked her husband to go for a doctor, remarking she. could not. stand the pain much longer. During the absence of her husband the tragedy was committed. ■Returning, he found -the eldest girl, 'Joan, standing at the door, who remarked ‘‘Mummy is dead, and has kill‘Paddy.’ ” Mrs Gray was lying in the hall on her hack in a pool of -blood, and it he little girl was dead i:n bed. Deceased's hierves had been upset at the time of the Nelson earthquake, although she had always appeared to be normal.

Joan Cooper, 12 years, said she beard her mother go outside, and later came into witness’ bedroom, jumping and dancing. She had a razor in her hand and made for witness, and cut her neck. She then attacked Violet who was asleep. She saw her mother cut Violet’s throat and much* repeated efforts to save her -sister, but her mother cutwitness on tile left hand. Mother exclaimed “I cannot help it. Toff daddy I am sorry.” Witness ran out 011 to it he verandah. Her mother tlu*n came out of tin* bedroom into the passage and cut her own throat. ,A verdict. was returned that the death of 'the little girl was due to haemorrhage caused by dlu* severance ol the carotid artery, the . wound being indicted by her mother, while in a .‘llate of unsound mind, and that the death of the mother was due to haemorrhage caused b,v -severance ol tin* carotid artery, the .wound being indict- I cd by herself -while m •' -Hate ol to 111- , porary itffianny.