CASE OF SUICIDE

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 830, 7 October 1916, Page 12

CASE OF SUICIDE

An inquest was held yesterday by Mr H. W. Bishop, concerning ' the death of William George Bell Armstrong, whose body was found in the Avon with the throat cut. The deceased's pocket hook contained a note addressed ''Note to Maude," in which he stated that he wished all his belongings to he left to her. A note to his father staled: "In case anything should happen to me, please see that all my possessions are handed over to Maude, and also the balance of my banking account after the expenses in connection with my case with the police are finished." Patrick Lang, student at Christ's College, said that he saw the body in the river between 10 and 11 a.m., near the kiosk in the Gardens. It was entirely submerged. Thomas Samuel Wilson, manager for Messrs Gordon and Gotch, said deceased was employed by the firm as publisher, having been there for about nine years. Deceased had a peculiar disposition, being extremely sensitive and touchy. Deceased had recently appeared to be very run down in health. Witness last saw him alive at 11 a.m. on Thursday. Constable Tcmpleton also gave

evidence. 'the coroner returned a verdict that (lie deceased committed suicide by cutting his throat while in a slate of unsound mind.