MARRIAGES
PRATTLEY — ALINGTON — On December 24, 1945, at St. Stephens, Ashburton, by Archdeacon C. L. Mountfort, Catherine Esther, only daughter of Mr and Mrs R. G. Alington, to John Richard, eldest son of Mr and Mrs J. Prattley, Christchurch. -Press, 11/1/1946.
WOMAN FOUND SHOT
Death Occurs in Hospital
Found at 11.30 this morning with a rifle wound in the head, Catherine Esther Prattley, aged 21, later died in the Ashburton Hospital.
Deceased, who was the wife of John Richard Prattley, who resides in Christchurch, was staying with her parents, Mr and Mrs R. G. Alington, 38 Princes Street, Ashburton.
The police, who were called to the scene, found a rifle in the kitchen where the shooting occurred. -Ashbutron Guardian, 28/5/1947.
SHOOTING TRAGEDY
INQUEST FOR IDENTIFICATION
For the purposes of identification an inquest was opened into the death of Catherine Esther Prattley, aged 21, at Ashburton this morning before the District Coroner (Mr E. C. Bathurst).
Mrs Prattley was yesterday found shot at the home of her parents in 38 Princes Street, where she was staying. After the body had been identified the inquest was adjourned sine die.
John Richard Prattley, a factory worker, of 25 Simeon Street, Spreydon, Christchurch, said he last saw his wife on Sunday, May 11, when she was a patient in the Ashburton Public Hospital. He had been told by a doctor that, “my wife was considered then to be nervously affected, and required rest and treatment.” Prattley stated that they had been married on December 24, 1945. They had had no quarrels, he testified, and when he last saw his wife she was on her usual friendly terms.
Richard Geoffrey Alington, a chiropractor, of 38 Princes Street, and father of deceased, said his daughter had not enjoyed good health since the birth of a child in March, and had been under medical treatment. When he had left home yesterday she was depressed, but not more than usual. -Ashburton Guardian, 29/5/1947.
INQUEST CONCLUDED
DEATH OF YOUNG MOTHER
A verdict that she came by her death through a rifle shot wound, self-inflicted while in a state of mental depression, was returned by the Coroner, Mr E. C. Bathurst, at the inquest, completed yesterday afternoon, on Catherine Esther Prattley, aged 21, wife of John Richard Prattley. She was found at her parents’ home, 38 Princes Street, Ashburton, with a wound in her head and died shortly after admission to hospital.
Senior-Sergeant G. A. Doggett conducted proceedings on behalf of the police.
Dr. N. E. H. Fulton, giving evidence yesterday said that he was called to the scene of the shooting where he found Mrs Prattley was still breathing, though unconscious. She was clutching a small rifle with the barrel in her hands and the stock between her knees. A deep wound in the eye was bleedly freely. Witness arranged for her transfer to hospital. He had attended her a few weeks previously and admitted her to hospital, suffering from depression following childbirth.
“She was discharged a few days before her death much improved,” added witness, “and was able to attend her baby, although at times she appeared worried.”
Dr. W. J. Smith, of the Ashburton Hospital staff, stated that Mrs Prattley, when admitted to the hospital was in a dying state and passed away half an hour later. In his opinion death was due to laceration of the brain caused by a gunshot wound.
Mrs Catherine Ruby Alington, mother of deceased, stated that her daughter had not enjoyed good health since the birth of her child on March 17 and had been under treatment since. On the morning of May 28 she was much quieter than usual and accompanied witness part-way to town. Witness returned to the house half an hour later, found the back door locked, and entered by the front. She then found her daughter on the floor. Deceased did not at any time mention taking her own life.
Constable L. N. Snowden, who was called to the scene, detailed assistance given the dying woman. A discharged shell was found on the floor, but no note had been left by deceased. The Coroner then returned a verdict as stated above. -Ashbutron Guardian, 25/6/1947.
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