SUICIDE AFTER FIFTEEN YEARS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13146, 7 April 1906, Page 2 (Supplement)

SUICIDE AFTER FIFTEEN YEARS.

A FARMER'S REMARKABLE LETTER. A shocking tragedy lias occurred at Theddlethorpe. Mr. Thomas Hunter, a farmer of some standing, was found in the barn of his-farm with his head almost blown off and a gun by his side. -Deceased had 1 suffered from fits of depression, and some time ago appeared before the magistrates on a charge of attempting suicide by cutting his throat. He was 62 years of age. •

1'11..' affair formed- the subject of an inquest by the deputy-coroner, Mr. Philip Allison, at the house of deceased, when the following letter, which deceased had left on the table, was read: —

"I will swear that I was not a shilling richer by the transaction, I believe the surveyor gave up some time before his year of office had expired, and had started for New Zealand before I was paid. I believe a great part of the rates had been collected, amd there were some heavy payments to meet, to the best of my recollection. I was not paid in full. It was arranged to take less. Oh! Lord Jesus, thou know est my distress of mind..; I am sure I : have not taken any money that doesn't belong to me. Good-bye; love to all dear ones. God have mercy on my soul. Divide all I have."

It was explained that about 15 years ago deceased held the office of surveyor, and that his predecessor had been returned bankrupt, and had gone to New Zealand. There was, an item of. expenditure in his accounts of £54 which, could not be traced, and deceased was questioned at the ''Parish Council as to where it had gone. This appeared to have preyed on his mind, and after 15 years he committed .suicide. ...' The jury returned a verdict that deceased committed suicide while '.temporarily, in-' sane.