“PLEASE FORGIVE ME"

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 30 August 1926, Page 4

“PLEASE FORGIVE ME"

DECE ASED MAN’S MESSAGE.

BODY FOUND AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

Y» ith the netek and arm severely lacerated, the lifeless body of Norman W. Gilbert, a single man, from whom the New Plymouth i>olice received a letter card <la«t Monday intimating that lie intended to take his own life, was found by a. schoolboy in Pukekura Park. New Plymouth, yesterday afternoon. Death had evidently resulted from a wound which had .severed the jugular vein and windpipe, while deep cuts also showed on the left arm near tlie elbow. Lying close to the body was a razor, which had apparently* been used to inflict- the wounds. Deceased, who was about 45 years of age, resided formerly on a farm property on Eraser Road, near Hawera. He visited New Plymouth recently and on Sunday last a letter signed Norman Gilbert was posted to the police stating that the writer’s body would be found in Pukekura Park. A further note addressed “To those who find my body” was found on the body yesterday, the message reading: “So sorry this had to happen. It had to be. Please forgive me, all. Love and an revoir to all my dear people and dear friends. —N AY. Gilbert.” It is reported that he had been in indifferent- health for some considerable time, and only, recently experienced an exceedingly severe attack of influenza. Formerly in the dental profession, he was obliged, for health reasons, to seek an open-air occupation, and became engaged in farming work on the Fraser Road. Leaving there two years ago, he went to t-hie Auckland aind afterwards the Wellington districts, where he took.-up work as) a commercial l , traveller. A few days prior to his death he was on a visit to Hawera and proceeded to New Plymouth, for the .purposer ) t is under stood, of obtaining medical advice and spending a period) of convalescence.