“MUMMY IN WATER”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10303, 12 January 1927, Page 5

“MUMMY IN WATER”

CHILD'S PATHETIC MESSAGE

WOMAN BELIEVED DROWNED

AUCKLAND, Jan. 11. A woman who lias been identified ns Mrs Myrtle Blackburn, of St. Helior's Bay Auckland, disappeared from the river/jank, near Ngaruawahia, and is believed to have been drowned. Mrs IJlackburn had with her two boys aged about IS months and three roars.

Mrs Blackburn called at the home ot a resident near the Waipa River, and asked for a drink of water, which wa> given to lier. On leaving the hmi - 1 * she and the children went tali aid the hank of the rivtr. A little later the elder boy returned to the house with his clothes wet, crying ■■. Mummy in the water." The resident and neighbor rushed to the rimr bank, and found the yoie’ger child lying on the bank nn-h,ii-ned. A woman's hat and lmndhi of were on the Lana, and there K'vro footprints leading to the water, lii:i no sign of the woman could ho

Mrs Blackburn left her home at St lli'iier’s Bay yesterday morning with her two children, stating .she was going to the store. When she had not returned by noon a search was commenced, but without result. Tnis morning a letter from her was received by her husband, Mr Ned Blackburn. In it she stated.: “When you receive this we will be in the deep.” No reason can be given whv Mis Blackburn should have gone t° Ngaruawahin, as she has no relative* or ii lends there. She is 3U years of

(in the discovery of the hat and handkerchief on tlie river bank tb« pi.iii v were immediately summoned, ami dragging operations were commenced. A local swimmer also dived in search of the body without sucThe river is deep and sluggish at the scone of the tragedy.—P.A.