A MOTHER’S DESPAIR

Taihape Daily Times, 31 January 1919, Page 7

A MOTHER’S DESPAIR

A-, inquest was held at Xordwich upon Mrs. Mary Jane Hilditcii ((50), the. mother of “La!” Hdditch. a well known Mane tester linked half-back ami a member of an old Mid-Chesliir ■ family. The evidence showed that for six months Mrs. Hilditch had been - under sped,a 1 treatment (for norvovis breakdown, and had also been' operated upon for an abscess behind the ear, which, Dr. Runcorn explained had .a.' most depressing effect. One night,, during the absence of her daughter, deceased swallowed a quantity of strong ammonia, |a,nd must, the doctor stated, have condured frightful agony. She died some six hours later. Mrs. Hilitch left a note addressed to her son “Lai,” which was ,almost unintelligible but in the course of it she said: “I cannot live any longer after what I have done for you all. I have killed you all and did not know, and you have allbeen so good to mi,'. • • Heart like stone. None of you made me do it.” The Coroner. in expressing deep sympathy with tlv relatives, said he had no doubt that deceased committed suicide in a fit of impulsive insanity and he recorded tne verdict to that effect.