EX-MINISTER'S SUICIDE.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 214, 8 September 1921, Page 5

EX-MINISTER'S SUICIDE.

SINGULAR TRAGEDY, HOHO-ED COINS AND MBDALS, A tragedy of a most singular character has readied a c-limax l>y t.he suicide of Ilelnrich yon Kraiiendorier, who WB6 formerly for many years Bavarian Minister of ('ommiinications. A Bavarian school teacher, he waa in the 'beet sense of the term felt-made, n» he not only worked his way up to Ministerial rank, but waa also ennobled. He was generally regarded us a man ol indefatigable energy, of tho highest character, with a disinterested public spirit. His. private liobby was numismatics, and ho had a valuable oollrction of coins and medals, on which he waa regarded as an eminent authority. Some months ago he began to wnd portions of this collection to tho auction rooms, where ho sold at large prices, buyers not doubting for a moment the, authenticity of the specimens from his <r.L'binets. Another wellknown numismatist, however, noticed that some gold Renaissance medallions told by Fraiicndorfer were identical 'wit.'i what liad hitherto been believed to be urrio.ue specimens in Kngljsh collections. Reports pot about, ami evidence was accumulated in BUch quantities that the police opened proceedings against Francmlorfer for fnrging medate from casts which, it was alleged, -were obtained from foreign .•naileries through Government influence when he -was Minister of Railways. He waa questioned by tho police, and on Friday officials went to his house to eumrrron htm to another hearing. He was not at home. Later, ■however, he was found in a country place with his brains blown out and with a revolver lying by his side.

The reasons for his pecuniary embarrassment, which induced a man of his substantial position and public character to forgo works of art in order to raise money, have not been satisfactorily cleared up. His own mode of life is said to have been of Spartan simplicity, tout it is 'believed that he spent large sums in the relief of distressed acquaintances. Another theory is that in some mysterious way his enthusiasm ah a collector induced him to make the forgeries and forst them on the market. It is also suggested that a love afTair involved him in an outlay which he could not defray out of his normal resources, but as he was Gf> this theory is not favoured as having a very strong degree of probability.