LEAP TO DEATH

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1937, Page 7

LEAP TO DEATH

VICTIM TELLS MAN TO WATCH HIM SYDNEY, September 10. Inviting a man to watch him, a man leapt 250 foot from South Hoad, near Jacob’s ladder, yesterday, and was killed; He was Gordon Harold Walters, aged 51, of Rothschild Avenue, Rosebery. The body was recovered after a perilous climb by Constables Ulrk:h and Bona mi. It was identified from a name in a notebook found in a coat left at the cliff-top, A farewell message to Walters' wife and daughter ended “ is responsible for this.” Milton Plested, of Watson’s Bay, was about to enter a house when he was called by a man. “Come and have a look.” said the man, who was near the safety fence. Plested took no notice. “Come and watch this,” the stranger repeated, and climbed the fence. “I thought bo must have seen something on the rocks.” said Plested, ’’but as I moved toward him ho took off his coat flunnr up bis arms and took a running dive over the edge.” Plested went to Va”cluse police station and returned with Sergeant Solwvn and the two constables, who descended Jacob’s Ladder. The body was hauled up by onlookers. One of the helne r s w's the Rev R. u p. JV’dlev. of St. Peter’s Church, Wa+son’s Bay, He was comb’ctbig a mo'lnr’s meet, big at the cbiivcb wlmn ho hea-d of the tragedv. and immediately hurried to the cliffs. For many ye oV s Walters h"d bold an important position in the works ot Buzneott and Co. T.td.. fence and ornamental metal work manufacturers. He was noted for bis punctuality, and when bo was late in returning from lunch vesterday fellow employees were surnrised. For some time, it is said, he bad been worrying about bis work.