LATE MR V. T. DIBBLE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 20, 20 December 1932, Page 2

LATE MR V. T. DIBBLE.

TRIBUTE BY CORONER. At an inquest held to-day into the death of the late Mr Victor Thomas Dibble, the Coroner (Mr A. J. Graham) returned a verdict that deceased died at Awapuni on December 14 from the effects of a bullet wound. He stated that it was with great regret that ho had to add that the wound was selfinflicted by deceased while he was in an unsound state of mind due to illhealth.

Evidence was given by Mr W. G. Stevens, assistant caretaker at the Awapuni racecourse, that deceased, who was secretary of the Manawatu Racing Club, drove on to the course at 8.15 a.m. on December 14. He waved as he passed, hut did not look well. Subsequently witness found deceased’s body lying under a willow tree near the gravel pit gate. There was a revolver nine feet away. Deceased had been in ill-health for some time, and witness had noticed him failing, particularly during the fortnight preceding his death. Mr B. J. Jacobs said he was a close personal friend of deceased and knew all his affairs and activities. Apart from being secretary of the Racing Club he had other responsible positions and was a very busy man. He was not in financial difficulties of any kind and his domestic relations were serenely happy. Witness had understood from deceased that he was not feeling well, a.nd that he had been suffering from insomnia. Witness advised him to take a holiday or go into hospital, but deceased wished to carry on until after the Christmas races. On December 14 witness was in the Racing Club office with Mr C. Louisson when Mr Dibble’s wife arrived and said he had spent a shocking night. Witness went to the racecourse with Mr Louisson with the intention of putting deceased straight into hospital. There they found what had transpired. Witness was quite satisfied that deceased shot himself while in a state of mental depression following upon ill-health and the effects of war injuries. There was no other reason for it. “Having been a close associate of the late Mr Dibble in many of his public activities,” stated the Coroner in returning the verdict, “I must pay a tribute to his memory and express my profound sympathy with his widow in the great loss which she has sustained. It is very difficult to understand his passing in such tragic circumstances. I personally believe that behind it all lies the tragedy of the Great War, with its unforgettable memories and its aftermath of sullen suffering. While still in his ’teens he answered the Empire’s Call and returned maimed in body and broken in health, but with courageous and characteristic determination he grappled with the problems of civilian life. His grit, energy and marked ability enabled him to carve out a profession in which he achieved success. He held a lucrative position, was regarded in high esteem by his friends and had a particularly happy home life. Unfortunately, he broke down and the nervous strain of past and present sufferings proved too much for his indomitable spirit. He reached the limit of his endurance, his mental balance was upset and relief was sought in death. His life was a short one, yet crowded with heroic service to his King a.nd country, stern devotion to duty and service to his fellowmen. ’At the going down of the sun and in the morning we shall remember him’.”

The stewards of the Levin Racing Club, at a meeting, resolved to send a letter to the Manawatu Racing Club expressing sympathy with it on account of the death of Mr Dibble.