SOLICITOR’S DEATH

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 171, 17 April 1934, Page 2

SOLICITOR’S DEATH

Worried by World Affairs VERDICT OF SUICIDE Dominion Special Service. Masterton, April 16. A verdict of death from gunshot wounds, >elf inflicted while mentally disturbed, was returned by the district coroner, Mr. E. G. Eton, at au inquest this morning into the circumstances surrounding the death of Henry Charles Lancelot Robinson, barrister and solicitor, of Mastertou, who was found dead on Saturday morning in a paddock adjoining the IVairarapa High School grounds. Dr. A. M. Scott deposed that there were three wounds on the upper part of deceased’s chest, two being on the right side and one on tiie left. Death was duo to internal Lacmhorragc and would be instantaneous.

Henry Robinson, son of deceased, stated that on Saturday his father was called to breakfast. When he did not appear witness and his brother, Alexander, searched the property, but failed to find their father. On searching his room they found on a table a note left by him indicating his intention to take his life. Accompanied by Constable C. Le Comte, witness searched still further and found deceased near the-back entrance to the Wairarapa High School. He was then dead, and there was a gun alongside the body. Witness last saw his father alive early on Friday evening, and lie then appeared in good health and spirits. He bad up financial difficulties, but at times was deeply concerned about the general state of community and world affairs. He enjoyed good health and had attended to his business regularly. Deceased had retired to bed about 11 p.m. on Friday night, and had made no mention to any member of the family as to his intentions. A note in liis father's handwriting addressed to the police had been found on a post close to the scene of the fatality. Constable L. W. C. Le Comte said the body was fully clothed over a suit of pyjamas. He fixed the time of de- . ceased’s death at about 7.10 a.m., as be lived in the locality and remembered hearing two gun shots at about that time. Herbert Cunningham, a partner in the firm of Messi's. Robinson and Cunningham, said he was in Auckland with his brother, Mr. A. T. Cunningham, a third partner, when news was received of the fatality. The news came as a great shock as deceased had never given any indication that he had any such intentions. Deceased had repeatedly told him -that his mental powers were failing with his increasing age and that seemed to worry him. He had no financial worries of any kind. ■Witness said that the fact that he was now residing in Auckland, where he was carrying on business o . the firm’s behalf, had had no effect on the partnership. Ho pointed out that the partnership had not been dissolved. M itness had always been on the best of terms with deceased, who had been quite in agreement with the arrangement. After delivering his verdict, the coroner expressed the sympathy of the court with tiie relatives of the late Mr. Robinson. He felt that in the death Of Mr. Robinson the community had lost a fine and high-spirited citizen, who took a particular interest in public affairs in the town.