ALL LOST.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 189, 12 August 1925, Page 7

ALL LOST.

HONOUR, WIFE, CHILDREN.

BRILLIANT OFFICER'S SUICIDE.

TRAGEDY AFTER A FLAY.

(By Cable.—Presa Association.—Copy rlgtt.)

(Received 12.30 p.m.) « LONDON, August 11. Colonel Mackenzie, a civil engineer, aged 37 years, who had a brilliant war record, winning the D.S.O. and Military Cross, committed suicide in a flat in Albemarle fStreet after seeing Mr. W. Somerset Maughan'a play "Rain." Colonel Mackenzie lost his £2500 a year position with Sir W. A. Armstrong, Whitworth, and Co. owing to his drinking habits. He was also divorced in April, and had come to the end of his financial resources, but was engaged to be married in October. His fiancee- gave evidence that the play was most depressing. She tried to cheer up the colonel, but the next' morning he refused, to greet her with affection, and went out of the room and shot himself. The coroner pointed out that the colonel was affected by a play which turned upon suicide and immorality. The verdict was that Colonel Mackenzie committed suicide while of unsound mind. The coroner said it was a case of a brilliant man who lost honour, wife, children, and money.—A. and N.Z.