BREWER’S DEATH

Evening Star, Issue 21013, 29 January 1932, Page 1

BREWER’S DEATH

— FOUND IN DISUSED VAT

“ You will find me in No. 3F vessel. Cheerio to you all.” That was the message left by John Clement Edmond Farmer for his assistant at M'Gavin’s where Farmer was found lying in the lime water of a disused vat on January 25. The adjourned inquest touching the death was held at the Courthouse this morning, Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., sitting as coroner. Sergeant Boulton represented the police.

Henry Searle said he was a night watchman, employed at M'Gavm’s branch of the New Zealand Breweries. He knew the deceased, and on January 25 he found four letters fin deceased’s office at the brewery. Witness left them there.

Edward Fitzgerald Walden, assistant brewer at M'Gavin’s branch of the New Zealand Breweries, said he had been working directly under the deceased, whom he had known for two and a-half years. As far as witness knew, deceased’s health was always good. On January 25 witness was working under the deceased at the brewery as usual, and up till the time witness left for lunch, about noon, deceased appeared quite cheerful and normal. Witness returned about 1.20 p.m. and found a note from the deceased on the table of witness’s office The note said: “You will find me in No. 3F vessel. Cheerio to vou all.” Witness considered it was a joke, and took the note to a Mr Holmes, a clerk in the office. The latter advised witness to make certain it was not a joke, and witness went upstairs to No. 3 fermenting vat, which was a disused vat containing lime water for preserving purposes. He found deceased lying in the water, and with assistanco took him from the vat. The, body was quite cold, and Dr Harty was summoned. He arrived almost at once, and carried out resuscitation for some time. Witness subsequently received another letter (produced) in deceased’s handwriting. Robert Steven, accountant at M'Gavin’s, said deceased had been head brewer during tho seven years witness had known him, and during that time ho had always been of a cheerful disposition. After deceased’s body 'was found a letter in the deceased’s handwriting, dated January 11, was handed to witness.

Sergeant Boulton said that the only reference to deceased’s financial difficulties was contained in one of tho letters he had written.

Evidence was also given by Constable Buchanan, who said that when he arrived at M'Gavin’s brewerv Dr Harty was present, but ho could only pronounce life extinct.

The Coroner said that deceased apparently went to No. 3 fermenting yat and drowned himself. It was quite clear from tho letters afterwards found that there had been something preying on his mind, and ho was determined to commit suicide. One letter referred to financial difficulties, and though there seemed no suggestion of this apparently he had the idea firmly on his mind. A verdict was returned that deceased committed suicide by drowning at M'Gavin’s brewery on January 25 while in a state of extreme mental depression.