MR SKELTON’S DEATH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18347, 10 September 1921, Page 13

MR SKELTON’S DEATH

CORONER’S INQUEST. (Peb United Pkess Association.) AUCKLAND, September 9. An adjourned inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr A. E. Skelton (solicitor;, whoso body was found in tbo harbour off the beach at Dovonport on September 2, was hold at the Magistrate’s, Court before Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M., sitting as coroner. Florence Skelton, widow of the deceased, stated that ho had had three or four nervous breakdowns during their married life. He had been worried'on the day of his disappearance (August 19), and she noticed that ho was strange in his manner. That morning ho came homo from the office—a most unusual thing to do—first telephoning to ask her not to go out. He complained of his health, and in reply to her said it meant an operation, and that his condition was hopeless. He also said he was worried, had lost his grip of his work, and could not follow his cases in court, and that there was only one thing to do —end it all. During the rest of the day she pleaded with him to face it out for the sake of the children. By 11 p.m. ho appeared to be more reasonable, and witness tried to persuade him to go to bed. He refused to do that, but said they would lie down for a while. Witness dropped off to sleep, and when she awoko her husband was gone. He had never before suggested ending his life. Five years ago, when ho had a nervous breakdown, the doctors said it was his brain.

Edward Campbell, chief bailiff at the S.M. Court, said he had known deceased about 15 or 15 years, and had had frequent business transactions with him. He called in at witness’s room at the court a day or two prior to his disappearance, and asked him if ho over got pains in his bhad. Witness replied in the negative, whereupon deceased said: “If ever you do, the easiest way to get rid of them is very simple.” Witness told him not to be silly. Deceased laughed, and left the room.

Frederick Baxter, journalist, deposed that he was a neighbour of deceased, whom ho had known intimately. Witness had never known a happier family. Warwick St. G. Wilson, a partner in deceased’s late firm, stated that when he last saw Mr Skelton on the morning of Ar,gust 19, ho appeared quite normal. Deceased had no worries outside of his work. He had been working tremendously hard of late, and witness had several times warned him that he would kill himself. Deceased had no financial worries, and had left his family provided for. Ho suffered from severe headaches sometimes, and had had several breakdowns, due, according to the doctors, solely to overwork. He had been insured for £IOOO since June, 1919. The Coroner brought in a verdict to the effect that 1 the deceased committed suicide by drowning while in a state of temporary insanity.