WOMAN’S TRAGIC DEATH
FATAL FALL AT WOODHAUGH, FOUND IN THE LEITH.
About 8 o’clock last night the body of a woman was found lying face downwards in the Water of Leith stream in the Woodhaugh Gardens by a man named William Payne. She was identified as a married woman named Ada Berney, who had been living apart from her husband. She had apparently fallen about 20ft down a steep bank, striking her head on some rocks below and receiving a bad wound on the forehead, a cut under the nose, and severe bruises. She was clutching a bunch of broom in her hand, and her hat and handbag were found on the bank from which she fell. Sergeant Shanahan and Constable Harris removed the body to the Morgue, where an inquest was opened this morning before the coroner (Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.).
Frederick Arthur Berney, laborer, husband of the deceased, identified the body, and said she would be about thirty-eight years of age. They had been separated for three years owing to her conduct. Witness understood that she had been living recently with a wharf laborer. He know nothing of her death or the circumstances.
The Coroner adjourned the inquest till Thursday next to enable the police to make further inquiries. -Evening Star, 14/10/1922.
DEATHS.
BERNEY. — On October 13, 1922 (result of an accident), Ada, wife of Frederick Arthur Berney, of 33 Forth street; aged 38 years. R.I.P. — Hugh Gourley (Ltd.), undertaker. -Otago Daily Times, 16/10/1922.
ADA BERNEY'S DEATH
A SOMEWHAT SORDID STORY
What Happened in Woodhaugh Gardens ?
BODY FOUND IN WATERHOLE
(From "Truth's" Otago Rep.)
Some days ago a tragedy occurred m Dunedin under somewhat sordid and distressing circumstances. The body of a woman named Ada Berney was found at 8 o'clock one evening lying face downward in the Water of Leith stream at a point where it runs through the Woodhaugh Gardens. It was ascertained that she had gone to the gardens with a companion who subsequently missed her and informed the police, stating that he had found the woman's bosket on the edge of the stream where the bank is very high. The circumstances were such as to render an inquest necessary, and this was ordered by the Coroner, Mr. H. W. Bundle, S.M. Sub-Inspector Eccles appeared on behalf of the police.
The first witness was the husband, Frederick Arthur Berney, who identified the body, and said his wife would be about 38 years of age. Some three years ago they had separated on account of her conduct, and he understood that she had been living recently with a wharf labourer. He, however, knew nothing of her death or of the circumstances surrounding it.
Dr. Evans said that on the 14th inst., by direction of the Coroner, he examined the body at the Morgue. The body was well nourished. Rigor mortis was well marked, and to all appearances she was an alcoholic. Her apparent age was much more than her real age, 38. There was a lacerated scalp wound, three inches long, and a fair area of the parietal bone was exposed.
To the Sub-Inspector: The wound was the result of direct violence.
Could you say it was caused by a blow? It could have been, but I could not say it was.
To the Coroner: It could have been caused by striking something when falling into the water.
Proceeding, witness spoke of another slight wound on the face and some old bruises. His opinion was that the cause of death was shock following concussion of the brain and immersion in the water. He could not say there were any outward signs that death was due to drowning. The wound on the forehead, which could have been caused by the woman falling on to a sharp stone twenty feet below, would be sufficient to cause death.
Frederick Arthur Berney, the husband, was then recalled.
The Sub-Inspector: Did your wife ever previously try
TO TAKE HER OWN LIFE.
She made a slight attempt.
Under what circumstances? — She was behind one of the doors in the house strapped up to a couple of nails on the back of the door, the strap being round her neck.
When you found her was she unconscious? — Slightly, yes, but her feet were on the floor.
You brought her round again? — Yes.
Did she say anything to you? — She said she was silly to try and do away with herself.
What kind of temperament had she? —Very fierce temper.
And nervy? — Oh yes, and easily put out. When she was sober you couldn't wish to be in better company.
In further reply to the Sub-Inspector, the husband said that he had not spoken to his wife since some time last year.
William Pickworth, wharf labourer, residing at Filleul Street, said he had known the deceased for about five years.
The Sub-Inspector: Now to be quite frank.
HAS SHE BEEN LIVING WITH YOU? Not living with me, but she used to come to see me and do my washing and mending.
She occasionally stayed with you? — Oh, yes. A few times.
What kind of a temperament had she? — She was highly strung; and easily put out.
Was that when she was drunk or sober? — When she had drink in.
Did she ever mention suicide? — I never heard her mention such a thing.
When did you last see her? — On the day of her death.
What hour? — When I returned from the wharf at 11 o'clock she was in my house.
Was she sober? — She hadn't had a taste that morning.
Continuing, witness said they had dinner together, and about 1.30 he went out to order coal. When he returned about 2 p.m. she had gone.
Did you ever have any altercations? — No, we were always on good; terms.
When you last saw her alive had she any wounds as described by the doctor? — No.
Any bruises on, the arms? — Not that I saw.
Was she normal mentally on that day? — She was
AS LIVELY AS A CRICKET. When you left to get the coal did she say she was going out? — She never told me.
Did she make any arrangement to return in the evening? — None whatever.
When she was missing did you look for her? — No, because she often went away. I went out in the afternoon about 3 p.m., expecting her to return in the evening.
Where did you go? — I came up George Street, and had a glass of beer at the European Hotel.
Where did you go then? — Just a stroll.
But where? — Oh, just up the street through the Octagon, and down to the fountain.
Where then? — Home.
Which way? — Up the street and up St. Andrews Street home.
What time did you get home? — Before six.
Did you see deceased while you were out? — No.
Did you look for her when you found her missing from your house? — No. I suspected nothing.
While you were out did you go near the Woodhaugh Gardens at all? — No. I don't know where they are.
Did she ever say she went there? — Yes, often.
Who with? —
THIS MAN PAYNE that's here now in Court.
She told you that she went to the gardens in the evenings with Payne.
Did she lead you to believe she was on friendly terms with Payne? — Oh, yes; good terms; friendly terms.
Did she say that day she had an appointment with Payne? — No.
Did Payne come to your house? — Yes.
To see whom? — To see me.
Not Mrs. Berney? — Oh well, she would be there.
On that afternoon you say she had no liquor? — No. None at all.
How did liquor affect her? — She was always for dancing and singing, unless anyone crossed her.
Any liquor in the House? — No; not on that day.
When she did not return at night were you surprised ? — No. She often stayed away.
The Coroner: Where did she usually live?
The Sub-Inspector: Did she not live with you? — No but
SHE WOULD SLEEP THERE two or three times a week.
Where else would she go? — Oh, she would go to other friends, but never would tell me where.
John Payne, papermill worker, residing at 40 Chambers Street, North-East Valley, said he was a single man 46 years of age.
You knew the deceased? — Yes, for 5 or 6 months.
Where did you meet her? — I met her as
A WOMAN OF THE STREET. And you have been walking out with her ever since? — Yes.
Have you been to the house of the last witness? — Twice or three times a week.
To see Mrs Berney? — Yes, practically, yes.
Did you have an appointment to meet her on the 13th? — Yes.
Where? — At the usual corner, Hanover Street.
When was the appointment made? •O n the previous evening at the Woodhaugh Gardens.
Have you and she been often together at the Woodhaugh Gardens? — Roughly, 20 or 30 times.
What time did you meet her on the 13th? — At 6 when she was standing outside the Royal Albert Hotel.
That was a meeting by accident? — Oh, yes.
Where did you go when you met at 6? — To George Street.
Did you first have any drink? — No.
Did she say anything? — Almost the first words she said were: "I am going to do away with myself."
Sure of that? — No.
That was before you got to the gardens? — Yes, just about Knox Church.
Where did you go then? — To Albany Street. I asked her if she had the key of her own home. I pleaded with her to go home, and said I would come to visit her at 7,30.
Did she take your advice? — No, she wouldn't.
Where did you go then? — Just before we got to Union Street she broke out
INTO VIOLENT MANIA and used language.
What did you do? — I pleaded with her and said, "Good gracious, Ada, have more respect for me than that."
What happened then? — She agreed to go and sit on a seat in the Woodhaugh Gardens while I went home to change my clothes.
And did she go? — We walked on and at the George Street School she had another outburst of cursing and swearing.
And you went to the Gardens? — Yes, to a seat at the pavilion.
What happened then? — She said she had
NOTHING TO LIVE FOR and that she was broken-hearted, and she burst into tears.
What then? — I got her to promise to wait till I went home to change.
Did you leave her there? — Yes, to go home for my tea and to change.
What time? — Getting on for 7 o'clock.
Was she still sitting in the pavilion? —Yes.
How far away was that from the waterhole in the Leith where she was found? — About 100 yards.
When did you return? — About a quarter to eight.
Was she on the seat? — No, she was missing.
Did you search through the gardens? —Yes, but found no trace except a white basket which she had been carrying.
Where did you find it? — Right on the edge of the Leith.
Did you see any footmarks? — No, it was a bit dark.
Find anything else? — No, I went down the bank of the creek and had a look, but saw nothing.
Did you see her hat? — No.
What was it like? — A red-colored straw; she told me she had lacquered it.
Did she have the hat, on at the pavilion? — Yes.
When you left her did she have any wounds on the head? — Oh no; I thought too much of the woman for —
Sub-Inspector: Oh, I'm not suggesting
THAT YOU DID ANYTHING to her.
Were you ever at the spot before? — No; but on the previous night when we were at the swimming pool she said: "I wonder if that would be deep enough to drown in?"
What did you say? — I said: "I suppose it would," and asked her why she asked, but she did not reply.
Where the body was found, were there any rocks? — Oh yes, very rocky; the bed of the creek is just boulders.
You never had any trouble with her? — No, she thought a lot of me and I thought a lot of her.
Did she have any liquor that day? — I think she had had a drink or two at the Royal Albert.
Are you on good terms with Pickworth? — Oh yes, as far as I know.
No altercation about this woman? — No, he may have been a bit jealous behind my back, but when I went down to his place he was always social.
Sergeant Shanahan, of North Dunedin, said that on September 13, about 9.30 p.m., accompanied by Constable Harris, be went to the Woodhaugh Gardens in consequence of what Payne had told him at the station. About 150 or 200 yards from the George Street bridge, alongside the banks of the Leith, they found the hat (produced) lying flat on the ground. The spot was about four feet from the top of a cliff about 20 feet high. There were large boulders in the bed of the creek just above the pool where the body was found. A kit bag (produced) was found near the hat. The bag contained an empty whisky flask and other sundries, including keys and face powder. The body, when found, was face downwards in the water and totally immersed. There was no sign of a struggle on top of the cliff. There was a small piece of broom growing at the top of the cliff and at the bottom there was a broken piece of broom, indicating that the woman had grasped it in falling; that a piece had broken off in her hand and had been released when she reached the bottom. The general appearance of things suggested that the woman had jumped over the cliff.
Was Payne's story to you consistent with the evidence he gave to-day? — Oh yes, generally.
This concluded the evidence and the Coroner said there was no reasonable question as to what happened. He found that death was due to suicide, following on a period of mental depression, the actual cause of death being shock following on concussion of the brain. -NZ Truth, 28/10/1922.
IN MEMORIAM.
BERNEY. — In loving memory of my dear wife, Ada Berney, who died October 13, 1922. R.I.P. “Asleep on the bosom of Christ.” — Inserted by Fred. A. Berney. -Otago Witness, 16/10/1923.
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