CITY MERCHANT'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21578, 24 August 1933, Page 12

CITY MERCHANT'S DEATH

WORRIES. OVER BUSINESS AN UNSIGNED LETTER WOUND SELF-INFLICTED • Tho adjourned inquest concerning the death of Mr. Claude Meredith Fenwick, aged 54, managing director of T. and S. Morrin and Fenwick, Limited, was concluded yesterday before Mr. W. I?. McKean, S.M., coroner. Deceased, who was a widower, was found in his office on Monday afternoon with a gunshot wound over tlio heart. Detec-tive-Sergeant McHugh represented the Ijoljce at tho inquiry. Dr. D. N. W. Murray gave evidence that death was due to hemorrhage following upon a gunshot wound on the left breast. Tho secretary to the firm of T. and S. Morrin and Fenwick, Limited, John Murray, said that, owing to tho financial stato of tho company, the bank put in a receiver about a month ago. During tho past two weeks, deceased appeared to witness to bo more cheerful than usual, and there was nothing in his demeanour to suggest that he contemplated suicide. Cecil Robert Tilly, warehouse manager for the firm, said that about 4'.30 p.m. last Monday he heard a loud report and went instantly to deceased's office. Witness was positive no person left the office. About 9.30 a.m. on Monday, deceased asked witness to have the striking-pin of a single-barrel shot-, gun repaired. Witness took the gun to a gunsmith, and it was returned about 3.20 p.m. Deceased appeared to be in his usual state of health. Mr. McHugh gave details of his observations when ho visited the office with Chief-Detective Sweeney and Senior-Detective Hall. Witness produced a number of letters found in the office, addressed by deceased to relatives, friends, employees and business acquaintances. An unsigned note produced was as follows: —" Monday. 1 finished my letters at 1.15 in here this morning. Pulled the trigger and nothing happened. Gun had a defective pin and wouldn't strike. Then I had to go home and go to bed. Ironical, wasn't it? Thcro was a sort of tragedy to comedy touch about it. That is why I am still here waiting for the gun to be repaired." Another letter said in part: " It may not bo a dignified exit, but I go out with mv boots on. Don't call it ail act of cowardice." In other letters, deceased commented upon the affairs of tho business. " There is no doubt about the cause of death, which" was hemorrhage following a gunshot wound on the left breast," stated the coroner. "It is equally certain the wound was self-in-flicted by deceased, who apparently was most worried about business affairs. The letters that he left indicate what ho was passing through."