DETERMINED SUICIDE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18397, 2 June 1925, Page 8

DETERMINED SUICIDE.

MAN SHOOTS HIMSELF IN PARK. I - (PBISS ASSOCIATION iBLEGBAM.) ■ AUCKLAND, June 1. Evidence of a premeditated and determined resolve to commit suicide waa produced at an inquest before the Coroner (Mr F. V K. Hunt) in connexion iyith "the death of Alfred Hurst, aged about 45, years, who was found dead under a 1 tree in Albert Park on. Sunday evening with a wound in his hedd and a shotgun in his right hand. . Two letters written by the deceased were handed in, also two portions ot the shotgun and an empty cartridge •case. The gun had been, shortened and on the stock, was a card bearing the following sentence; "ily enemies will gloat/ no doubt, over my death, but t ain not afraid to die." There was another message on the detached part of the barrel, stating: "Positively no one else was complicated in the buying of this gun. , A bought it myself for self-destruction.'/ Proof of identification was given by Arthur Ward Powell, perambulator manufacturer, who said Huiist was a basket maker, living at Eden terrace. He was a widower and was survived by a son, who was believed to be in Invercargill. He had suffered gfeat pain from a war wound and was often depressed in spirit in consequence. On Friday night witness last saw him, and he then signified .his intention to go to Australia for a holiday. Witness produced a letter received by poet yesterday morning from Hurst, tn it he stated: "I have changed my views re . a holiday. I prefer death. Am sick, tired, and full up of life aa it is."

Dr. Lindsay deposed that death was due to destruction of the base of the skull and brain by the discharging of a .loaded shotgun. Deceased had apparently placed the barrel in his mouth and pulled tho trigger. Constable Orr said he was in Albert Park on Sunday when he heard a gunshot near-by, and found Hurst lying dead under a tree. Witness produced a letter found on the body, addressed to Chief-Detective Cumming. In this Hurst stated that he wished it to be clearly understood that he bought the gun on Saturday morning, giving a wrong address, because he wanted a weapon with which to end his life. "Had I been left alone in my own quiet manner," the letter continued, "I would not have taken my life, but a certain class of the community insist in back-biting and persecuting me, and what with ill-health as an after-effect of the war, I cannot tolerate the existing state of antagonism." Horace Richard Leppard said he occupied the same premises as' Hurst. The latter was on good terms with witness and his neighbours.

The, Coroner returned a verdict of suicide by shooting. *