ROMANCE AND TRAGEDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21414, 11 February 1933, Page 2 (Supplement)

ROMANCE AND TRAGEDY

HEART-BROKEN LOVER RING THAT WAS RETURNED DISCOVERY UNDER MAN'S BODY Lying on a box containing an engagement ring, which had been returned to him, a heart-broken bank clerk gassed himself at a private hotel in lavislock Square, London, a few weeks ago. The victim, Harry George Wier, aged 41, was statod, tit the inquest at Paddington, to have been in a good position. Evidence was given by Mr. Charles Palmer, who lived at the same hotel, that Wier had spoken to him of " his young lady " many times. Witness recently learned that the engagement had been broken off. The coroner: Do you know why ? Witness: As far as 1 understand, it was due to the girl's parents. They did not approve of the engagement. As far as I know, they did not agree with the match on account of the disparity in their ages. He was 15 years older than the girl. The coroner, on being shown the ring found underneath Wier's body, remarked that it was a very beautiful one. In his summing up the coroner remarked that the cuse was a pathetic one of a very nice man getting engaged to a girl who was a good deal younger than he was, " As a matter of fact," continned the coroner, " she was only 15 years younger. He was not an old man, and it seems to roe to have been a very suitable match for a sober-minded man of 41 to have married a girl of this kind. " The ' girl's parents do not seem to have taken that view, and they had

talked to her about it and induced her to break off the engagement, which hud existed since July of this year. Wier took this very much to heart. He was evidently devoted to her, and it was really a knock-out blow to him to receive a letter on December 14 from his young lady from Aberdeen." The coroner read the letter he referred to, which ran : Dear Harry,—l am returning the ring you gave me because I decided to break of! our friendship definitely and finally. I am very, very sorry about it all, but it cannot be helped. As I explained in mv previous letter. I cannot carry on knowing that my peonle bo heartily disapprove. For their peace of mind and for our ultimate sond. L take this sten. I am doing this without coercion, so it would be no good your coming North to see me about it. Please try und forget the whole episode. In recording a verdict of " Suicide while of unsound mind," the coroner added: "Wier was a very fond lover, and it preyed on his mind. It is a love affair which promised so well and seemed so suitable. Wier got into a state of mental anxiety, and was not really responsible for his actions at the time he took his life."