Children of Susan and Arthur Waller

LETTERS MISSED IN TRANSIT

Story Told in Court by a Postman

An astonishing admission was made by a postal official during the hearing of a charge at Christchurch yesterday against Leonard Charles Wilkinson, mail van driver, of Street-lane, Christchurch, of the theft of seven registered letters while in transit.

A postman named Arthur Henry Waller admitted that it was his duty to accompany the mail van from the post office to the station. On the night when a bag of registered letters was missed between its loading on the mail van at the post office and the unloading of the mails at the station, half a mile away, he rode to the station his cycle and met the van at the station.

[ . . . Wilkinson sent for trial, on bail]

WALLER—On Sunday, June 20th, at Portsmouth, Emmie Alberta Waller, dearly-loved daughter of the late Arthur Waller and Susan Waller, aged 24 years.

SINGULAR ASYLUM CASE.

ATTEMPT TO TAKE LIFE IN A BUCKET OF HOT WATER.

The Deputy Borough Coroner (Mr. P.H. Childs) held an inquest at the Coroner's Court on Wednesday, relative to the death of a single woman named Emmie Alberta Waller, 24 years[,] an inmate of the Milton Asylum. Deceased was the daughter of Mrs. Susan Waller, of 9, Lombart-street, and this lady stated that the deceased suffered from melancholia, and had some years ago attempted to commit suicide by putting a handkerchief in her mouth. Twelve months ago she was removed to the Milton Asylum from the West Sussex Asylum. On May 18th a nurse named Rosetta Green went into the lavatory of No. 2 Dormitory to find the deceased. This was a favourite hiding place of hers. She was lying on her back and was very flushed, her hair being wet. Close by there was a bucket containing hot water. The bucket must have been carried into the lavatory, as there was no tap there. The deceased was removed to a bed, and died on Sunday morning last. She had several times threatened to take her life. Deceased told Green a few days after the occurrence that she saw the bucket of hot water there, and life being wretched she put her head into it. One of the patients whose duty it was had taken the bucket into the lavatory.

Nurse Birch, at present living in London, who was employed at the Asylum at the time, and who was with Green, agreed with this evidence.

Dr. Mumby, medical officer of the Asylum, said that lat October the deceased tried to cut her throat at table, and since then she had been kept in the dormitory under closer observation. On May 18th he saw the deceased, and she was then suffering from scalds to her face and neck. The burns healed by the time of her death. Death was due to pneumonia, accelerated by the shock of the scalds.—In answer to the jury, Dr. Mumby said that the two nurses, Nurses Birch and Millett, had been suspended by the Committee.

Councillors R. Payne, R. Windebank, and George Young were present in Court representing the Asylum Committee.

The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the doctor's evidence, adding that she displayed suicidal tendencies.

Waller said he only worked one night that week, and on Friday went for his money. It was raining so much that he jumped on the "Paddy."

Waller's plea of guilty was altered to "not guilty," and defendant added that he offered the inspector 1s. before he asked for his ticket.

Cases dismissed against all defendants, except two who had given false names and addresses.

WALLER—On the 20th instant, at Havant-road, Kingston-cross, Eveline Maude Waller, youngest daughter of A. and S. Waller, aged three years and three months.

A CHILD'S SUDDEN DEATH.—A little girl of three years, named Eveline Maud Waller, expired suddenly yesterday, at her parents' residence in Havant-road, Kingston, and when Dr. Emmett attended it was only to confirm the belief that death had occurred. The Coroner has had the facts reported to him, and under the circumstances he has dispensed with an inquest.