AGED PENSIONER'S DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 256, 29 October 1929, Page 5

AGED PENSIONER'S DEATH.

HANGED IN CQALHOUSE

WORRIED BY FAILING HEALTH,

An old-age pensioner, Mr. James Webb, of St. Helier's Bay, aged 85 years, was found by his daughter hanging in the coalhouse at her residence yesterday morning. Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., lield an inquest to-day. Evidence was given by a married daughter that her father had lived with her for the past ten years. He occupied a, detached room. She last saw him alive on Sunday night, when he retired a.bout 8.30 o'clock. Her father's health had been failing lately, and he was depressed because he could not get about much. Latterly her father had complained about noises in his head. When she went to call her father to breakfast on Monday morning she found him hanging in the coalhouse. She called her son, who cut the body down. Her father was fully clothed, and had even brushed his hair. He was usually a very bright, cheerful old man, but seemed to think he was a burden upon his children. Evidence was given by the son of the last witness that the body was quite warm when he cut it down. A verdict was returned of suicide while suffering from mental depression.