BOY'S SUICIDE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 38, 15 February 1933, Page 5

BOY'S SUICIDE

SEQUEL TO A QUARREL

A DOMESTIC DIFFERENCE

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) EOTOBUA, February 14. Found in a dying condition. with a rifle bullet wound in. the head and the weapon lying beside him, Patrick Burke Berghan, a 16-year-old high school boy, died in the Botorua' Hospital shortly after midnight yesterday. A note was left for his mother by the boy indicating that he contemplated suicide. , Statements made to the police today indicate that the tragedy followed a family difference in which the boy, his mother, and his stepfather, Mr. F.-B'. K. McArthur, dentist, of.Eotorua, were involved. Mr. McArthur had returned from the races and early in the evening decided to_ go _ and procure cigarettes. His wife wished to accompany him, but he refused her and an argument developed. The boy attempted to prevent his stepfather leaving the house, and a struggle followed. Mr. McArthur then left the house by the back door, leaving ,the boy with his mother and two younger; children who were also in the house. Eeturning shortly before ten he had just entered his bedroom when: he heard a rifle shot. Bushing to the rear of the house he, found" the boy in, the lavatory leaninjg against the wall • with a rifle beside him.' ■ The lad was immediately' rushed- to hospital,, but never regained consciousness. He died shortly after, midnight. . The lad Berghan was a prominent member of the Eotorua' High. School first fifteen and a very popular boy of a bright disposition. An inquest was opened to-day and adjourned sine : die. v