SIGNAL INSPECTOR’S SUICIDE

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 99, 22 January 1924, Page 7

SIGNAL INSPECTOR’S SUICIDE

BURDEN OF WORRIES TOO GREAT By Telegraph—Press Associations Christchurch, January 21. William Strolor Gillies, aged 35, a railway inspector, who had recently been transferred to Christchurch from Dunedin, was found dead in the scullery of his residence at Spreydonhead, covered by a blanket, under which was a gas ring. A neighbour on Sunday morning saw a notice in Gillies window, saying : "Send for the police.” He took no action until 4 p.m., when the police were informed, and found Gillies dead. Letters indicated that Gillies intended to commit suicide. He is believed to have a wife and family, but the identification is not complete. At an inquest held to-day, the evidence showed that deceased had been worried over the purchase of a property, although he was not in financial difficulties. He also had been worrying about his work. The Coroner said that Gillies was evidently a valued servant of the Bailway Department. There was a statement bv one witness that lie had been overworked. It was not in doubt that ho had deliberately taken his life, and it seemed that the aggregate of circumstances had caused Gim to do what he had done. A verdict was returned of suicide while to a depressed state of mind through wiry