INQUEST HELD

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 478, 11 March 1933, Page 5

INQUEST HELD

DEATH OF TE WHAITI WOMAN BY OWN HAND An inquest into the circumstances "surrounding the death of Mrs. Korona te Hiko, who died at Te Whaiti on Thursday evening, was held by the district coroner, Mr. W. L. Richards, yesterday when a verdict was returned that deceased committed suicide by lysol poisoning while in a fit of temporary mental depression. The husband of deceased, Korona te Hiko, said that about 9.30 p.m. he. was lying on the bed with his wife and they had an argument. Later Tuakane Wharekinga called them to have a cup of tea and his wife left the room. When he saw her again she was carried in unconscious. The only reason he could give for her taking her life was that she was upset by people telling tales about her. Tuakane Wharekinga said he saw Mrs. Hiko pass the kitchen window on the way to the. creek. When she returned she asked him how the "billy" was and suggested they should sing a song. They sang the song right through and then deceased collapsed upon the floor. Eva Tapsell and Hinekura Haunui gave cori'oborative. evidence. Nurse Nellie McPherson said she was called in to see Mrs. Hiko. She detected the smell of disinfectant upon her breath and at once administered an emetic, but the woman died half an hour later.