MAN SHOT WIFE AND SELF

Taranaki Daily News, 11 February 1928, Page 13

MAN SHOT WIFE AND SELF

POINT CHEVALIER TRAGEDY. EVIDENCE OF NERVE TROUBLE, By Telegraph/—-Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A verdict that the male deceased shot his wife and then himself was returned by the coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the adjourned inquest into the deaths of the victims of the Point Chevalier tragedy, Peter William Clos and Beatrice Mabel Clos, who were found dead in their home at Raymond Road on January 26.

The evidence indicated that both Clos and his wife were suffering from nerve trouble and that the man had complained of failing eyesight. Both had spoken of putting an end to their lives. Chief-Detective Hammond informed the coroner that he had a statement supplied by Base Records, which he wished jo read in order to clear up an allegation made in certain newspapers ■by friends of Clos, that his failing eyesight was due to war service. According to the statement Clos’ oversea service lasted from May, 1916, to June, 1917, and he was invalided on account of a wound in the wrist. His sight was normal when he enlisted. He did not receive treatment for sickness when on service and there was no record of his being injured by a bursting shell or suffering from shell-shock. His wound was not a distressing one. On his discharge Clos had received a pension of 35s a, week for 12 months, and at the expiry of that period he sought to enlist for home service. He was not taken back, but his pension was renewed for two further periods of 12 months, making three years in all. He made no further application for a pension or medical treatment. If he had done so his claim would have received every consideration, and if he had substantiated it he would certainly have received medical treatment entirely free of cost.