VERDICT OF SUICIDE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 31 March 1927, Page 9

VERDICT OF SUICIDE.

ELTHAIM FARMER’S DEATH. “The deceased, Thomas Henry Fever, met liis death by self-inflicted wounds while temporarily mentally depressed.” Such was the verdict returned at the inquest held at the Eltham courthouse to-day concerning the death of Thomas Henry Fever, the farmer, residing on the Hunter Road, Eltham, who was found dead with his throat cut at about 9.30 yesterday morning. The inquiry was conducted before Mr. .) W. Stubbs, J.P., acting-coroner, by Constable F. Townsend. The folowiug jury was empanelled: William i*. Campion (foreman), Jus. H. Carlson, James H. Barnard, and Ohas. A. Belcher. EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. Evidence of identification was given by John Edward lever, a farmer, resident at Kaponga, and brother of the deceased, who stated that he had last seen his brother several months ago, when lie seemed to be in his usual health. A nephew of the deceased, Ernest John Fever, who had been employed on his uncle’s farm, stated that as usual lie had assisted the latter with the milking operations yesterday morning, during which Mr Fever had been Aery quiet. When the milking had been finished, at about 7.30, witness left for the factory, and on liis return went directly to the house for the morning meal. As Mr. Fever had not yet come in, Mrs. Feevr asked witness to go out and find him after he had finished his breakfast. Witness walked over the farm, but could not find Mr. Fever. On his return to the house Mrs. Fever, who was becoming anxious, asked him to go out and make a further search. Before witness returned, •Mrs Fever had discovered the body--in the belt of trees. Mr. Fever had complained several days previously of not being well. The razor with which the wounds had been inflicted belonged to witness, and had no doubt been taken from his room. Deceased had announced his intention of going to New Plymouth yesterday on financial business.

Charles Carlson, a farmer on the property adjoining Mr. Fever's, stated that at about nine o’clock lie had received a telephone call from Mrs. Fever, who inquired whether her husband had been to witness’ farm. She said she was worried about him, as he had not come in for the morning meal. Witness decided to go over, and when lie was near the milking shed he had heard a scream, and Mrs. Fever had rushed out from a belt of trees nearby, and had cried, “Tom’s in the trees.”

After hurrying Mrs. Fever home, and obtaining the assistance of his wife and another lady, witness had searched for the iKxly. Mr. Fever had not complained of ‘being ill, but witness had noticed that he did not appear to be as robust as usual. Dr. D. H. stated that he had received a- caU#*hortly before ten o’clock yesteidjjjPr morning to Mr. Fever’s residence. He was met by Mr. Carlson, who took him to a plantation near the milking shed, where he found Mr. Fever lying face downward in a polo of blood. There was a deep wound m the neck, and an open razor was clasped in the right hand. The body was still warm, but the witness estimated that death, which would have been practically instantaneous upon Hie severing of the carotid artery, had occurred not more than an hour or two previously. There were several cuts in the throat. Death was due to heart failure caused by haemorrhage. The acting-coroner announced that Mrs. Fever had made a statement to the effect that her husband had been mentally depressed since Christmas. After a retirement of a few minutes, the jury returned the verdict given above.