A LOVE-SICK GIRL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 357, 7 April 1910, Page 2

A LOVE-SICK GIRL.

SUICIDE AT TOLAGA. Further details respecting the suicide of an apparently morose, love-sick na-' tive girl, Ivy Pomare, a resident ofj Matawhero, which occurred at Te Kopani, near Tolago Bay, were disclosed] at the inquest. Herbert Walker, a half-caste, gave evidence that deceased had on the previous morning asked him to go for a walk. He went with her up the side of the hill. They passed her uncle and aunt on the way. Deceased's aunt called out, ''lvy, where are you going?" Deceased made no reply. They went to the top of the hill and sat down for about twenty minutes. They never, spoke during that time. Witness asked deceased' to come home and have some dinner. She did not reply, but returned down the hill with him. At Hie foot of the hill witness again asked deceased to go home for dinner, but she replied with an oath, and told him to "go ahead," hitting him on the back with a stick. Witness left her and returned' home. He told deceased's aunt th.it she (deceased) would not come home, and the aunt (Amy Sydney) went out to look for her. This was about noon. Subsequently the aunt called ro him, and he went up the hill, finding the aunt and Willie Sydney with deceased, who was lying on her back, with a handkerchief alongside her that nad 'been torn off the throat. He had htTird deceased had a sweetheart, but could give no reason that she should take her life.

Amy Sydney, wife of William Sydney, stated that deceased had been staying with her for about three weeks. The morning in question deceased seemed to be in good spirits. Together with her husband they searched for an hour, and eventually found deceased sitting in some manuka. As soon as her husband touched her deceased fell hack. It was then seen deceased had a handkerchief round her neck, and they at once tore this off. A note was found auout eight feet away, and, translated, it read as follows: —"Poor mama. Farewell to the people. Never mind me. Do not have sympathy for me. I am all right. 1 am in good spirit. There is much pain and sorrow within me. i do not know whether you will see me again or not. Farewell to all, joy, iove to all." About a week prior deceased told her that a native had caused her and would not marry her. Karaka Waru, grandfather ot deceased, said the girl appeared to be in indifferent spirits. She had old-him that Raroa Puhipuhi had exchanged greenstones with her (signifying they had become engaged). He was quite Satisfied with the arrangement, which was that Earoa was to wait until his (witness') return from Waiapu to make her his wife.

Earoa Puhipuhi, a : resident of Puketawai, stated he had known deceased about three weelcs. They became engaged for a term of two years. There wms no truth in the statement that he had been on too familiar terms with deceased, nor had he refused to marry her. He could give no reason why deceased should take her life.' They'parted on good terms the last time they met, and he had given decease'd no cause to he jfalous by going out with another girl.