JUMP TO DEATH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 28 September 1934, Page 5

JUMP TO DEATH

UNEMPLOYED TRAVELLER - BEFORE FIANCEE’S EYES (By Telegraph—Press Association) AUCKLAND, 20th September. How Alexander Henry Shaw, aged thirty-five years, of Devonport, ail unemployed commercial traveller, jumped to his death from the end of the ferry wharf on the evening, of oth September was told at an inquest conducted by Mr W. R. M’Kean. Eileen Wainhouse, a stenographer and the fiancee-of the dead mail, said that on Otli September she met Shaw about five o’clock. Deceased appeared to be worried and was very much depressed. Her aim in talking to him was to cheer him up. They went to an hotel lounge where he had three or four whiskies but he still appeared to be worried and depressed. “We went to catch the boat to Devonport but it had gone and we sat talking on the ferry wharf,” said Miss Wainhouse. “About 0.15 deceased stood up. He did not say anything but made a peculiar throat-clearing noise and walked towards the edge of the wharf. I thought lie was going to be sick. All I remember after that is seeing hitn go over the edge. Then I heard'a splash. I did not see him again.” Miss Wainhouse explained that Shaw had been out of work since the end of June.

The discovery of Shaw’s body floating face downwards under the wharf was described by a constable.

The Coroner returned a verdict that Shaw’s death was due to drowning. There did not appear to be any obvious reason why Shaw should have taken his life except that lie seemed worried because lie was unemployed.