SUICIDE IN FIJI.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 97, 26 April 1928, Page 19

SUICIDE IN FIJI.

BANANA SHIPPER SHOOTS HIMSELF. SUVA, April 17. Yesterday afternoon Mr. W. A. Evans, locally known as "Joe" Evans, of Tamavua, was reported to have shot himself. The police went out by boat and found Mr. Evans dead in his bedroom, shot through the back of the mouth. A string was tied to his great toe and the other end fastened to the trigger of a Winchester rifle. The body was taken to the mortuary.

The deceased came to Fiji about 20 years ago, entered the service of A. M. Brodziak, Ltd., and later that of Brown and Joske. About eight years ago he secured an area of land at the top of the Tamavua River and here he grew bananas, raised pigs and leased land to Chinese and Indians.

He is reported to have land at Manly valued recently at £12,000 and some near the North Shore Extension Bridge. A magisterial inquiry will be held. There seems to be no reason for the deed as he had no financial worries, but having lived much alone had grown rather morbid.