WORRIED BY RUMORS

Evening Star, Issue 15072, 2 January 1913, Page 6

WORRIED BY RUMORS

THE MASTERTON TRAGEDY. A sensation was caused on Christmas Eve by N. D. Bunting, secretary of the Wairnrapa Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, shooting himself in the strong room at the board's office. Inspector Cairns, the board's health inspector, visited the offices about 2.5 p.m. He found the outside door locked, and thought the building was empty, but on going into the office ho found Bunting there, engaged at work preparatory to closing the. office for the Christinas holidays. Bunting appeared quite rational and conversed freely. He asked the inspector if he would mind taking the staff pay up to the hospital, as he was desirous that the staff should receive their money before the bank closed. Mr Cairns assented, and left about 2.30 on his bicycle for the hospital. Returning about a quarter of an hour later, he found Bunting's coat on the table and a note in Mr Bunting's handwriting, which stated: — Forgive and forget an unworthy, and tortured soul. Good-bye! Mr Cairns then noticed the strong room door open, the keys in the lock. On entering the strong room Mr Cairns made a terrible discovery. Bunting was seated in a chair, dead, and a doublebarrelled gun lay beside him. The deceased had placed the gun to his heart and pulled the trigger, killing himself instantly. Mr Bunting, who was 41 years of age. had held the position of secretary to the Wairarapa Hospital and Charitable Aid Board ever since the amalgamation scheme under the now Act came into force. He had been for many years a teacher at the Masterton District High School, relinquishing the position to take up the Hospital Board duties. He was also secretary of the Masterton Technical School, a position he had occupied for a number of years, and was formerly secretary of the Masterton Tennis Club. The deceased leaves a mother, two sisters, and a brother who is in South Africa. At the inquest deceased's sister said he had been terribly worried lately concerning "wicked, baseless rumors" which had been circulated about him. He never mentioned taking his life, but had said he could not stand the rumors. The Coroner returned a \-erdict of suicide while temporarily insane.