SHOCKING AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

Shannon News, 2 June 1922, Page 2

SHOCKING AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

YOUNG WOMAN THROWS CHILD ' FROM TOP FLOOR.

AND JUMPS TO DEATH HERSELI-

Auckland, May 31

A tragedy occurred a lew minutes alter noon at the Strand Arcade, Miss Ina Mary Nalder, aged 25, a clerk, in the Pacific Cable Board Office, hurling a i'our-year-old girl over the balustrade on the top floor, and then jumping to; her death, 70 feet below. The child, Betty Nalder,' was the adopttjed daughter of the woman’s mother, who died about a year ago. Upon the mother’s death, Miss Nalder took upon herself the duty of looking after the child, to whom she was greatly attached. The child was being treated at the hospital for a broken arm, and Miss Nalder took her out for the day. A letter in Miss Nalder’s handbag read as follows: •This is to state that I am so unka . y that I cannot live any longer. I am not of temporary, unsound mind, as the'papers are always in the habit of saying. I wish my money, namely, £IOOO invested with a firm in Nelson, and approximately £l5O in the Auckland Savings Bank, as well as any salary due to me, to go to the Auckland Hospital. None of my relataves have ever cared for me, or taken any interest in me, therefore, they have no right to the money, and I do not wish any of them to come near my remains or take any interest in the affair whatever. No one will miss me."

A witness produced a letter written to his daughter, and received at noon that day, too late to avert the tragedy, though the police and the Cable Board were telephoned immediately. The letter stated that Miss Nalder felt keenly that a friend of her’s became engaged to another girl, and she had nothing to live for. She l indicated her intention of suiciding and taking the child Betty with her. The Coroner returned a verdict to the effect that the deed was committed while the woman was of unsound mind.

A young woman employed in a shop in the Arcade had a narrow escape from injury. She was buttoning a glove on an outstretched hand, and the child struck her hand, falling at her feet. Beforei she recovered from

the shock, the woman’s body fell, a few feet away*