OBITUARY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5233, 1 February 1928, Page 2

OBITUARY.

NURSE J. M. JARRETT. Profound regret was freely expressed on Monday when it became known that Nurse J. M.-Jarrett had been found dead at her cottage in 1 Seymour Street,’ Paeroa. As district nurse to natives and a resident of Paeroa for about eight years, deceased was very popular, apd profes-

sionally was loved and respected by Maoris and white people alike. She was the third daughter of Major Jarrett, who died in India, where he was serving with his regiment. Her mother, who lived with a sister on the Mersey side of Liverpool, died about 18 months ago. Deceasied also has a sister who is a nurse in London, and a brother a civil engineer in New York. Prior to coming to New Zealand the late Nurse Jarrett was a sis,ter attached to the York Barracks, England, but the indoor work did not suit her and she, came to the Dominion for health reasons, and later took up an appointment as district nurse to natives uhdeir the Public Health Department. At the time of her death Nurse Jarrett was living alone. THE INQUEST. An inquest was heild onl Monday night by Mr F. E. Flatt, district coroner. Mirs Violet'' Turton, Paeroa,. stated that she had known deceased before she came to Paeroa about ten years ago. She had heard deceased speaking to a Miss Willcdx, of Thames, about a. will. She had learned from deceased that she had a weak heart, and remembered heir saying that she ■had had haemorrhage. Deceased had also complained that her work was, hard, and it was necessary for her to work long hours at her profession. She last saw' her alive on Friday mbrnfing on the Paeroa railway- station. At that time she' appeared bright and cheerful, andhad just returned from a holiday. Dr. Little,' Paeroa, said he had attended deceased about two years ago and was aware she had a high blood pressure, but he had never made a thorough examination, of her. Under instructions he had that day held: a post-mortem on deceased. The body was well nourished, and all the organg were quite healthy witji the exception of the heart, which was dilatejd. There was acute inflammation and ulceration of the main artery of the heart. In his opinion death was, due to syncope, due to acute aortitis, There were slight abrasions on the forehead which, would not . affect the death.

To the police witness said that after a morning’s heavy washing deceased had apparently taken a hot bath and had become faint and,fallen or bumped her forehead, causing it to bleed. In his opinion that would account for the marks of blood in the bathroom. The examinations failed to disclose' that the lungs had bled recently. The state of.,the heart of deceased was undoubtedly the cause of deeth Her complaint was., a longstanding one, and her statei of health was such that Sihe was liable to die at any time. In his. opinion she had been dead about 60 hours at ths time of the examination.

Mrs Lennon, Rye Lane, Paeroa, a certificated niW’se, said that deceased had been her next-door neighbour, and she knew her to be, district ■■ nurse to natives. She hud seen deceased shortly after noon on Saturday, at which time deceased had finished a hefavy washing. Deceased had remarked to her that she was going to have a bath and a rest . She was then in good spirits, and asked witness to send to the, post office for her mail. That was the last tiirfe she had seen deceased alive. On, Monday morning she saw the washing on the clothesline, and as it was raining she s ( e|nt a .girl, to see what Nurse Jarrett was doing. Information was brought to her that the deceased was, lying, in bed dead. Witness said that deceased had often remarked that she had a weak heart,- and that she ‘had been a T.B. case at Home, but sincei coming to New Zealand had. improved greatly. Witness received information of the death of. the deceased ;at 8.30 o’clock on the morning of Monday last. Dorothy Ellen; Vernon, aged 19 years, of Auckland, who was staying with Mrs Sinnett, a neighbour of deceased’s, said that she went to the residence of the deceased’s on Monday morning to take in the wasjhimg because it was raining. ‘The doors and windows were open, but on knocking at the back door there was no re,ply. She again visited the cottage, but on receiving no reply the assistance of. a man named Lucas was sought, and on entering the sleeping porch deceased was, seen dead in bed, and had a cloth with bicoid marks uponi it over her head. Mrs Lennon was summoned ;and the police advised of what had happened. In reviewing’the evidence the coroner said he was. quite satisfied that deceased had died a natural death. He added that' deceased had held a public position, and had always carried out her professional duties ably and with great credit. . She was held in the highest esteem by everyone throughout a large district. Nurse Jarrett had a kindly nature and distinct ability, and w'as a friend to everyone. Her splendid work, always cheerfully done, could not be too highly eulogised, and she was a person who had performed yeoman service,, especially to natives, and her demise had robbed them pif a true-and loyal friend. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical testimony. THE FUNERAL. The funeral, which took place at the Pukerimu Cemetery, Paeroia, yesterday afternoon, was very largelyattended by people from all parts of the district. The pall-bearers were Constable J. M. Devereaux and Messrs G. Barnbrook, J. M. Thompson, and J. Thompson, of Kerepeehi; and Messrs E. Turton and G. Masters, of Paeroa. A noticeable feature of thei sad precession from her late home in Seymour Street to .the cemetery was the

number of women who joined in the cortage, including Miss Bagley, assistant Health Officer Auckland, Miss Naumaun, district nurse, Rotorua, and Mrs (Dr.) Seville, Morrinsville. Messrs W. E. Hale (chairman), P. E. Brenan, J. W. Danby, J. Lange, members of the Thames Hospital Board, and G. Tonge, secretary ; also Crs. E. Edwards (deputy-Mayor) and F. E. Flatt, Paesroa Borough Council, and many others, including a large number of Natives, attended the funeral. The last solemn rites at the graveside were performed by, thei Rev. W. G. H. Weadon>, of St. Paul’s Church, Paeroa.

Among the many beautiful floral emblems which bore silent testimony to the love and high esteieni in which the late Nurse Jarrett was held were tokens from the members of the Thames Hospital Board, matron and sisters of, the; Thames Hospital, district office of the Health Department, Auckland, anti, a large wreath from the Kerepeehi Maoris.