A DUNEDIN MYSTERY.
(By Telegraph,— Press Association) Dunedin, Saturday, ) Phyllis Archer, a domestic servant aged twenty, employed at St. Clair, rose from her bed at eleven last night , and left the house. Her body was found on the beach at six this morning. -Wairarapa Daily Times, 13/10/1894.
FOUND DROWNED.
Phyllis Archer, a single woman, aged twenty years, who came from Kyeburn about seven weeks ago to the employ of Mrs McGlashan, Edward street, St. Clair, was found drowned on the beach at St. Clair this morning. It appears that she left the house at ten o'clock last night for the purpose of posting a letter, and was not seen after that until her body was found near the St. Clair baths at 6.30 this morning.
INQUEST. An inquest was held on the body at the Hotel Metropole, St. Clair, this afternoon before Mr Coroner Carew and a jury of six (Mr John Munro, foreman).
Ronald Graham Scott Orbell residing with Mrs McGlashan, St. Clair, stated that deceased was a domestic servant in the employ of Mrs McGlashan. She was about twenty years of age, and her parents lived near the Kyeburn diggings. Witness last taw her alive at a quarter to ten last night, and at seven o'clock this morning he heard of her being missing from the house. A few minutes later he was on his way to the baths, when he saw the body of a girl on the beach. He saw Mr Stark, the caretaker of the baths, and asked him if he knew who the girl was, and Mr Stark replied in the negative. Witness then examined the body, and recognised it as that of Phyllis Archer. It was partly dressed, and appeared to have been washed on the beach by the tide. The girl left the house at a quarter to ten last night to post a letter, but returned soon afterwards. Mrs McGlashan locked the doors of the house after deceased retired to her bedroom, but the back door was found unlocked this morning. Deceased received notice of dismissal three or four days ago. She was told some time back that she would have to leave, but Mrs McGlashan did not dismiss her, as she pleaded to be kept on. Witness found a bedroom candlestick on the path in the garden this morning.
Amy Weldon, residing with Mrs McGlashan, deposed that deceased was despondent sometimes. During the last week she appeared to be very dull. She received notice of dismissal, but did not want to leave. The candlestick found in the garden was the one used by deceased. The girl seemed to dislike going to her home at Kyeburn. Witness identified the writing in the letter (produced) as that of deceased. The letter in question was found in deceased's bedroom this morning, and was neither dated nor signed. It was written to her father, mother, brothers, and sisters, and was to the effect that Mrs McGlashan and Miss Weldon had done all that lay in their power for her. The concluding lines were as follow: — "With love to my dear father, mother, sisters, brothers, and everybody I must go. Good-bye. We shall meet again."
Constable Power also gave evidence.
The jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased committed suicide by drowning while temporarily insane. -Evening Star, 13/10/1894.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
The Funeral of the late PHYLLIS ARCHER, formerly of Kyeburn (drowned at St. Clair), will leave the Metropole Hotel, St; Clair, THIS DAY (MONDAY), October 15, at 2.30 p.m., for the Southern Cemetery.
COLE & SPRINGER, 150 Undertakers, 152 George street. -Otago Daily Times, 15/10/1894.
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