AN INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1932, Page 6

AN INQUEST

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UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES

j Hy Telegraph. Per Pres* AssociaTeo

WELLINGTON, -Lme.. 22

The circumstaucos of the death of Elizabeth Wilkie McCrae Strutli, a widow, 51, was, described at the- inquest to-dayijat Petone. " :

Early on the afternoon of June 15 she was. found dead • in a ,paddock-.a.. Trentham, with a tin of . disinfectant beside: her.

Detective McLennan said that on June 13 he had investigated the setting on fire ipC a house at Trentham. Mrs etru'th admitted !C i’ae had don e it. as she had p. grievance against a woman who lived in it. She had a weak heart and he decided not to arrest her, but to bring her before the court on summons. She seemed all right im • kali’w and' be had no idea she would Fake her life.

A daughter of deceased said her mother never bad good health. ‘ m June 14 her mother went T o Wellington and at two‘o’clock the same day witness received a letter saying she would be found in the harbour. Witness imriiediateiv ’ reported it, to the police. That night her mother arrived home at 11.40, wet to the knees. She explained that -she bad been sitting on the steps of the wharf. She went to bed, but at .seven in the morning she was missing, and' the bed was still .warm. " The inquest was adjourned for a post "mortem.