SUICIDE AT WHANGAREI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14224, 22 November 1909, Page 5

SUICIDE AT WHANGAREI.

TOBACCONIST SHOOTS HIMSELF. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.} Whakgarei, Saturday. At three/ o'clock this afternoon, Alfred Letford/ aged •about 40 years, committed suicide by shooting himself through the head with a new service rifle. Deceased was a hairdresser and tobacconist, and it way. in the - small workshop at the back of 'his premises, in Bank-street, where he committed the rash act. The only person in the, shop at the time was his son, Frank, aged nine. . The boy ran out of the shop screaming, and was met by ' Mrl Amodeb, who came up ' from his shop, beneath Letford's premises, to ascertain the cause of the report.: Mr. Amodeo found deceased lying in a pool of blood. The bullet had entered the chin and passed out at the top of the head. Dr. Gilpin was promptly called in, * but he could only pronounce life extinct.

'.'! It is supposed that deceased, who leaves a wife and five children, was much worried about financial matters, and was not in good health. He came to New Zealand about two years ago, from Fiji, where he occupied a Government position. A JOCKEY'S END. . ■ [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ) ASSOCIATION.] , ; Wellington, Saturday. - At. the inquest on- Jack Roberts, the jockey, a , verdict was, returned i' that, deceased; died from a bullet wound, selfinflicted. Evidence was given that Ro-berts-had attended the Grand National Meeting, and since his arrival in Wellington had spent £40 in three days. No cause was assigned for the act.