SUICIDE BY DROWNING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17256, 4 September 1919, Page 9

SUICIDE BY DROWNING.

H. H. MARSHALL'S DEATH.

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST.

The inquest into the death of Herbert Harold Marshall, manager at Auckland for the Guardian Assurance Company, whose body was found in the swimming pool at the Parnell Baths on Tuesday morning, was held by the coroner, Mr. J. E. Wilson, S.M.. yesterday morning.

Evidence of identification was given by Arthur P. Friend, who said he last saw deceased on Friday last, when he appeared very much upset. On Tuesday morning witness found a letter at his "home, and this he believed to be in deceased's handwriting. It. indicated that the writer was about to take his life and asked witness to attend to some business matters. From his own observations witness would say that the statements in deceased's letter that he had been drinking to excess were correct. Witness was sure he was not responsible for his actions at times. Evidence as to finding the body in the water was given by George Henry Comes. Reginald J. White, manager for Australia and New Zealand for the Guardian Assurance Company, Limited, said that on August 28 deceased was suspended for general neglect of his duty. He did not see deceased after that, but thought he understood that he would lose his position. One of the reasons for witness's visit to New Zealand was to inquire into deceased's management of the company's business.

When found, the deceased had a wound in the corner of the left eye, and it was suggested that this may have been caused by a bullet, but Dr. Maguire, after probing the, wound, stated that it -was possibly due to bite? by sea insects. The coroner returned a verdict of suicide by drowning.