PAROA TRAGEDY.

Grey River Argus, 10 January 1928, Page 5

PAROA TRAGEDY.

INQUEST ON JOSEPH COUMBE. At the Courthouse yesterday after noon an inquest was held by Mr W. Mcldrum, Coroner, into the death of Joseph Coumbe, aged 54 years, of Paroa. who on Saturday morning last was found in the hjaekyard of his residence, with his throat cut. and a blood-stained razor lying near the body, while there was a message written in pencil on the fence nearbv namely, “God forgive toe.—Joje-’’ Sergeant J. Smythe conducted the proceedings.

Albert Gilbert, carpenter, Paroa, said that, from what he was told about 8.30 o’clock on Saturday, he went to the residence :of deceased, where, near the cowshed gate, he found his body, and the razor produced was lying alongside it. There was a deep cut in the throat. Everything indicated that the wound was selfinflicted. He had known deceased for about two years, and had worked with him. As far as witness knew, his health had been very good, but deceased had been working very hard day and night at his garden, and occasionally worked a day at the Paroa Mill. He was overworked. Witness never had known him to be despondent or to suggest that he would take his life.

Constable O. Hendrieksen said from what he was told, he went on Saturday morning to Paroa, arriving at 10 o 'clock, and he found the body of deceased lying against a fence, with a drep wound in the throat. The razor produced was about four feet distant from the body. There were four distinct pools of blood on the ground in proximity to the body. Written in lead pencil (the pencil found being produced) were the following words on the fence above the head: “God forgive me!—Joe.” Everything indicated suicide. Witness removed the body to the bouse, but an examination did not reveal any other marks upon

Ernest Arthur Morgan, er.gine-dri-v<r, of Paroa. said he used to see the deceased at Paroa regularly, and on the evening before his death witness saw him about 8.30 o ’clock driving his eows through the gate, but did not speak to him. Next morning witness was present after the finding of the body. Witness had been on good terms with deceased. He knew of no reason why he should take his life. The Coroner returned a verdict that the deceased, Joseph Coumbe, committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor.