THE AUCKLAND SENSATION.

Press, Volume XLIII, Issue 6547, 16 September 1886, Page 2

THE AUCKLAND SENSATION.

SAD EFFECTS OF BETTING.

[press association , tklegbam.i AUCKLAND, September 15. A t the inquest on Harry Hall, the ticket taker of the Opera House, who shot himself last night, a verdict was returned "That deceased shot himself in a fit of despondency and state of temporary insanity." The little fresh evidence given disclosed that in his pocket was discovered the following note, showing the deed had been premeditated:—" To the Coroner.— Sir, —Before ending my sad career, I wieh I to let the public know of the trap I have been led into. I can ccc from it from the very first, even to articles in the paper, how they point to it. I was told by a friend whom I thought I could trust to back certain horses. I now find that he was put up to tell mc; so true {sic) I lead another into which I fell myself." The document bore no signature, neither was it dated. A number of stiff and blood-stained colored posters were produced, on the back of whioh were several pencilled statements, written by deceased after the shooting. One of them stated he had two sisters at Giaborae. The effect of one statement was that he had been led into a trap by come people iv backing horses for horseracing, and that as ha already stood to loss £50 he had resolved to tike his life. It appears deceased has been in the habit of betting with the barman of an hotel, and on one occasion Hall was " struck." Only a short time ago he lost considerably over the win of Meteor in the Hawkeebury Handicap. The person alluded tn had a wager on with Hall in connection with Monte Christo's chance in the Metropolitan Stakes, to be run shortly. Having lost on Meteor he consequently thought that his money was also gene on Monte Christo. The dread that he would lose dispirited him, and this, it ie concluded, is reason why he destroyed himeelf.