AFTER THE PLAY

Evening Star, Issue 19017, 12 August 1925, Page 6

AFTER THE PLAY

AH ENGINEER'S SUICIDE - BRILLIANT CAREER ENDED Pros* Association —By Telegraph—Copyright, LONDON, August 11. (Received August 12, at 12.5 p.m.) Colonel Mackenzie, a civil engineer, aged 37, with a brilliant war record, which included the winning of tho D.S.O. and tho Military Cross, committed suicide in his fiat in Albemarle street after seeing _ Maugham’s play 4 Ruin.’ Mackenzie lost a position with Armstrong’s worth £2,500 a year, owing to his drinking habits. Ho was divorced in April, and had come to an. end of his financial resources, but ho was engaged to bo married in October. Mackenzie’s fiancee gave evidence that the play was most distressing. She tried to cheer tho deceased up, lint tho next morning lie refused to greet her with affection. Instead lie went out of the room and shot himself. The coroner pointed out that Colonel Mackenzie was affected by tho play, which turned upon suicide and immorality'. A verdict of suicide while of unsound mind was given. Tho coroner said that it was a case of a brilliant man who had lost honor, wile, children, and money.—A. and N.Z. Cahfc).