A SAD CASE, A Young Girl Attempts Suicide.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 100, 2 May 1885, Page 3

A SAD CASE, A Young Girl Attempts Suicide.

A young girl named Sarah Thomas, aged 16 years, an inmate of Mrs Cowie's Woman's Reformatory and Home, Parnell, attempted «elf destruction at that institution on April 27 by stabbing herself in the arm with a carving knife. The girl's history, or rather what little is known of her illstarred career, is extremely sad. It would appear that she had been engaged i\a a domestic servant, and when in that capacity was seduced and fell into evil ways. Contracting a frightful disorder, sho was going ( from bad to worse, when, about 6 months] asro, she was discovered by some benevolent ladies, who secured her admission to the fcionae. After a few days residence there, in consequence of the disorder from which she was suffering, it was deemed advisable to secure her removal to the Hoppital. She remained under treatment tnere for some months, and being cured, Bhe was readmitted to the Home three or four weeks ago. Shortly after her admission she began to develop mental symp toms that caused the good matron of the Home considerable anx'ety. Sometimes her temper was very bud, and at others she was subject to fits of despondency. After she had made the attempt on her life yesterday sho said aho had done it because one of the girls " had accused her of killing Mrs Brown's baby." The unfortunate girl was brought to the Police Station by Constable Hobson, and was there examined by Dr. Walker and another medical man, who pronounced her to bo suffering from homi cidul and suicidal mania, and ordered hor removal to the Aeylura. Mie has, we understand, only one near relative in Auckland, a married sister.