THE HARBOUR FATALITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 58, 8 March 1913, Page 11

THE HARBOUR FATALITY.

CORONER'S INQUEST,

An inquest was held by the" City Coroner (Mr. T. Greaham) yesterday afternoon on the body of Robert Alexander Davys, found floating in the harbour the preceding evening with a bullet wound in the forehead. William Roulston, storekeeper, of Pukekohe, and brother-in-law of the deceased, stated that w-hen he last saw Davys at midday on Wednesday he appeared to be in good health and spirits. Deceased's wife had been ill for some time, but not so ill as to cause any grave anxiety, and lie came into town on Wednesday afternoon with the expressed intention of seeking medical advice respecting hSs wife's health. Witness had at no time heard deceased utter a threat to take his own life, and knew of no reason for him doing so. On Wednesday evening at 5 o'clock Davys sent a telephone message to his wife to the effect that he would not be home that night. Police evidence was given as to the finding of the body near the shore at Stanley Bay on Thursday afternoon. The police sergeant estimated that the body had been in the water since the night before or the early hours of the morning. The body was fully dressed, and also had on a raincoat buttoned up, while a watch and chain and £1 13/ in money was in it, disposing of any idea of robbery. Medical evidence was to the effect that death had occurred as the result of a bullet wound in the forehead, probably self-inflicted. The verdict was death by laceration of the brain through a revolver bullet wound, there being no evidence to determine how deceased came by the wound.