DISTRESSING FATALITY.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 24 July 1916, Page 2

DISTRESSING FATALITY.

DUNEDIN, July 21. A distressing tragedy is reported from Ravensbourne. Upon returning at 9.50 last night from Port Chalmers Geo. Anderson, a carpenter, found the house locked up. On effecting an entrance ho discovered his wife, Toinasina Anderson, aged 36, lying in the passage, apparently having been burned to death, only a vestige of clothing being left on her. The fire from the burning garments had burned through the oilcloth, also through a board an inch thick, where she lay. It is believed the fatal'ty is the result of mental illness; The bank-books and gold articles were found burnt in the fireplace.

CORONER'S INQUEST

DUNEDIN, July 21. Mr. Bartholomew, coroner, held an inquest at Ravensbourne to-day concerning the „death of Mrs Tomasina Anderson. It appears from evidence that the deceased had been admitted to the Seacliff Mental Hospital in January, and was discharged about three weeks later. She suffered from hallucinations, but went about her household duties as usual. She must have been seized with a sudden suicidal tendency. She had smashed some of the furniture, sprinkled kerosene about liberally, and set Pro to the chairs and sofa in the front room. It was a wonder that the p'ace was not burnt down.

The coroner found that death wis due to shock from burning, self-infli?c-ed, -he deceased being of unsound mind at the time.