DEATH BY DROWNING.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1921, Page 6

DEATH BY DROWNING.

INQUEST ON MISS A. SMITH. The coroner (Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M.) presided at an inquest held yesterday regarding the death of Miss Annie E. Smith, whose body was found in the Te Henui river on Tuesday. Evidence was given by a brother of deceased, Stanley J. Smith, farmer of Mangorei, who said Miss Smith lived at Te Henui with two other sisters. She had met with two accidents this year, and suffered from shock and nerves. •Just prior to her death, however, she had been carrying on her household duties as usual. It was her custom to take a walk every morning, and when ho was notified about eleven o’clock on Tuesday that she had not returned from her walk he immediately proceeded to make inquiries. As his efforts met -with no result he informed the police. Subsequently the body was found in the Te Henui river. TTis impression was that deceased was coming from witness’ farm and \vhcn she attempted to cross a small bridge, which was decidedly unsafe, had become nervous. She may either have fallen into the river then, or have gone back and sat on the bank, ami a fainting fit may liaye caused her to fall in.

C. A. G. Cranley, “who was one of a party of High School bovs engaged in the search, said the body was found about 3.30 p.m. Iving in the river about 25 yards below the bridge. A hat was on the far side of the river between the body and the. suspension bridge, and at this* spot the river was about six feet deep. To Mr. Smith: The bridge was not safe for a full grown person, and there was a possibility of anyone crossing it becoming nervous and falling in.

Dr. G. Home said he had attended deceased for some time. She had been suffering from indigestion and a certain degree of insomnia. His last attendance was required as the result of a fall which Miss Smith had sustained, causing severe contusions of the hip ami shoulder. She suffered from depression.

To the Coroner: She had never given any indication of possessing suicidal tendencies.

The finding was that deceased met her death by drowning, there being no evidence'lo show how she got into the water.