THE HAMILTON TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1898, 2 November 1918, Page 3

THE HAMILTON TRAGEDY.

Hamilton', Nov. 1

An inquest was Im*l<l before Mr Kawson in connection will) (he death of Joan Violet Marine, aged throe months, Iho victim of an attack hy her father on October 23rd. The evidence of the mother was to (ho effect that her husband stayed at home from October 2()th to 23rd, during which time lie complained of being' ill. About 5 pan. on the 23rd, her husband and the child were in the house together. Witness was .speaking on the telephone to a neighbour, Airs Griffon, While at the ’phono she heard the child scream, and ran into the room, where she found the child lying on "the bed with blood streaming from its eyes. Her husband had a table fork in his hand. When asked how he could hurt a baby like that, lie replied; “It had to be done.” She told her husband, who she knew must be out of his mind (he had been in the asylum before) to go and get the cows. She rang up Airs Griffen and asked her to come to her assistance and gel a doctor. Before Mrs Griffon arrived ' witness’ husband returned and tried to get into the house, hut she had the door fastened. With Mrs Griffon, she went with the child to another neighbour’s.. On Dr. Alartin’s arrival the child was attended to, and it was taken to the hospital next day.

A verdict was returned that deceased died from injuries inflicted by her father, who was undoubtedly insane.

Morine was not present, Hr. Stride’s certificate stating that he was of unsound mind.