THE WANGANUI DROWNING CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 20, 15 October 1900, Page 4

THE WANGANUI DROWNING CASE.

At the Police Court, Bessie Scobb was charged with attempting to commit suicide on the 3rd October, by jumping from the Wanganui Bridge into the river. Henry Duiley saw the girl place her hand and one of her feet on the railing of the budge and jamp over. James Miller, sailor, detailed the circumstance? that) led to his jumping in the river and rescuing the accused, who struggled and asked him to let her • go and drown, She also straggled and ' tried to get out of the boat. Constable Campbell stated that accused left the following letters:— My Dear Mother,— ■ I'm gocd for nothing in this world, ' so I had bettar be out of it. Don't fret for me or tbiak there is anything wrong. Lately I've felt disgusted wi;h mysei. I cin'fc work properly, and it 11 all my own fault entirely. What- , ever you do don't fret for me. You i wiil te bet'er wishott rue, There ii £i in the favioga Bank and aboat£l 10i owing, which you are to hare. Gocd-bye. Good-bye to all of you I supposa you will tea Emmie and Mrs. ' Hogg. Mrs. Greig has been Tory good tome, Gtoi-bye ag*in, X X X X X, Bbssik Sgoxt. At the bottom cf this letter was the following note: Dear Mrs. Hogg,— • Thank you very much for all your kindness, aid go.d-bye to you and yours. Bbsbib.

The other letter was Dear Mrs, Graig,— Thank you very muoh for all your biQdness, and good-bye. Bkssik Scott. In reply to the Magistrate, the accused vo'unteered the following abatement I desire to express my tinceie sorrow fit what has happened, and my sympathy to the poor woman, I did not c'mider at tbe time my life was nob in my own hands. Since Mr. Rybotn his spoken to me I have thought differently. I promise I wil never think o! doing any such thing agsio. | At the time I committed the act I was doll and dfpresaid, being away from home and friends. ; The mused a'so intimited her iatentioo of at once going to te i tbe widow if her would-be resjaer and exprels to her har deep regret). The ac(u»d w»g formally cimmittej for tiiil at the District Court, which sits hare on November 53b, the Magistrate (who is also Di trict Judge) antsndin; that he would then deal with the case summarily. He had communicated with the Justice Dtpirbraent, and ii h 3 fouad that he, as a 1 Magistrit', could deal with lh : ! case under a new Ac!) jast passed, he woald do so without the interveation of the District Ooort The accused was subsequently admitted to beil, and l ft this afaernoon with he' mother for hoine in Tarar 1 mki, - Herald.