TRAGEDY AT RAKAIA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1680, 31 December 1887, Page 3

TRAGEDY AT RAKAIA.

Ashbitbton, Dec. 29. Great excitement was caused in Rakaia about half-past one o'clock thig afternoon, on a report being spread that a woman had been seen to jump into the river and drown herself and her child. A little girl who happened to be near the riverbed heard a child crying out " Don't drown me, too, mother," and then saw the woman

near or in the river. The girl immediately ran up to the township, about half-a-mile distant, and reported the matter to Constable Black, who, with Mr J. L. Brown (of Ashburfcon), Mr Primmer, and several others, went down and immediately commenced to search in the river nearly opposite the old Accommodation House. Mr

Primmer was riding in the riverbed, and not having a whip he called to a lad to pull him a flax-stick. The lad wemt to a flax-bush for that purpose, and immediately saw a woman and child lying underneath the flax-bush, and close to the water. The child, who looks about three or four years old, was quite dead, and the mother unconscious. On closer examination

it was seen that the woman had put an end to her child's life in a most

: terrible manner. She had taken off some of her underclothing and lashed the child to her own breast, by passing the hflrwaiat, and round the lower part of the unfortunate boy's body; The poor little victim was further secured round the upper part of his body to the woman's breast by a flannel. The supposition is that the woman jumped into the water, and must have crawled out before losing consciousness. She and the poor little victim were conveyed to Miller's Hotel, and she was then recognised as a Mrs Dalziel, who had formerly lived in Rakaia. It is reSorted that she was seen at Dunsandel tst evening. She passed over the Rakaia bridge at noon to-day, and must then have made for the riverbed. Dr Withers happened to be in Rakaia to-day, and he immediately attended the woman on her being brought from the riverbed. Ihe boy was quite dead, but life was finally restored to the mother. Up to a late hour this evening, however, she had remained in a semi-conscious state. Sergeant Eelton has gone down to Rakaia to investigate the matter, and an inquest will be held on the body of the boy to-morrow.

Mrs Dalziel is the wido w of Mr Tom Dalziel, who at one time was licensee of the Oxford Hotel, Christchurch. His death occurred somewhat suddenly about three months ago. Mrs Dalziel was of rather intemperate habits, and about ten days ago was before the Police Court in Christchurch on a charge of stealing a diamond ring and a pair of boots, the property of the licensee of the Darfield Hotel. It was apparent the theft had been committed —vrlrtlwthV~fmifiatr-Trwa--tnider" the influence of drink. She was placed under probation for a term, and she went to Dunsandel after her release from custody.—Press. Last night's Ashburton Guardian eays:—The spot where the pair was found was some thirty yards from the stream. Mrs Dalziel is evidently about 30 years of age, and is the widow of the late Mr T. Dalziel, who was barman at Rakaia some years ago and who died at Christchurch recently. It is stated that she has only recently been discharged from the Asylum, where she has been confined on account of illness, it is also said, more than once. A telegram was received in town this morning stating that the woman had been in a state of coma Bince she had been found. Dr Tweed was sent for, and left for Rakaia by the eleven o'clock train.