DEATH OF A CONSTABLE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20961, 26 February 1930, Page 15

DEATH OF A CONSTABLE.

Proceedings at inquest.

(Per United Press Association.) ASHBURTON, February 25. The allegation that two letters written by Constable David Ogilvy Brown just before he shot himself at Rakaia on February 18, one of them addressed to the Commissioner of Police at Wellington, had been suppressed was made by Mr W. J. Hunter (for the relatives of the deceased) at the inquest to-day, and the coroner adjourned the inquiry sine die to allow of the attendance of Superintendent Eales and the commissioner to produce" the letters. The evidence showed that Brown, Who was transferred to Rakaia on January 25, was worried over hie duties, which included clerk of the court, bailiff, arms officer, and collector of statistics. One witness gave evidence that the deceased complained bitterly at being sent to a country station at Rakaia, and not being informed, of what was in front of him. He said he had applied for transfer to Levin, where he would have been second in charge. He had had absolutely no experience in court work, and the statistical work had also worried him. He had several weeks’ leave due to him, and applied for two’weeks of it so that he could remain with the relieving officeV and learn some of his work,

Arthur James M'Pherson, engineer to the Rakaia Road Board, in giving evidence as above, said he spoke to Superintendent Bales on the afternoon of the tragedy, and the latter said: "I am I afraid, M'Pherson, that anything you might say about it will be outweighed by the note to the commissioner, which will come before the coroner.” The superintendent also said Brown had prepared a letter of several sheets to the commissioner. Brown had previously said he would not apply for another shift, because, in the force, if a man were shifted and applied for another shift he was told if he could not do the work there was only one thing for him to do—go. Brown had applied for leave, but was refused.