MAN FOUND SHOT

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21321, 14 November 1934, Page 9

MAN FOUND SHOT

VERDICT OF SUICIDE A verdict of suicide was returned by the coroner, Mr H. A. Young, at the inquest yesterday into the death of William Houston McLean, a married man, aged 47. Early yesterday morning McLean, a farmer, was found dead at his home at 200 Shirley road with a rifle beside him. Evidence of identification was given by James McLean, a farmer, of Methven, the father of the dead man. Witness said his son had been in ill health for some time. About 4.30 a.m. yesterday witness awoke and noticed that his son was not in bed. He went outside and found his son dead on the lawn. There was a rifle near the body. His son was suffering from a nervous breakdown and arrangements were being made to send him to Hanmer Springs. He had never given any indication that he intended to commit suicide. The wound appeared to be self inflicted. Donald McLean, a son of the dead man, corroborated th,e evidence ot the previous witness. ,„.., Constable M. H. Gibson, of Shirley, said he was called to 200 Shirley road at 6.30 a.m. yesterday. He described the position of McLean's body. He thought that death had taken place some hours before. ■• The coroner returned a verdict that McLean died from a bullet wound, self inflicted, while he was suffering from a nervous breakdown.