FOUND DEAD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10055, 17 February 1927, Page 2

FOUND DEAD.

TEMUKA COAL MERCHANT. On Tuesday afternoon at about quarter past four, the body of Rob: V ert Ewing Naismith, wood and coai' vjF merchant, a widower, who lived by himself at the corner of Ewen road and Railway Terrace, was discovered by Constable Southworth in the motor shed at his coal yards. He had not been seen since, breakfast time on Monday ’ morning, and a search was made by the police, resulting in the body being discovered. A shot was heard in the vie- i i inity at 10 o’clock on Monday morning but no notice was taken of it. , A single barrelled shot gun was found alongside the body and a piece of string, apparently used to discharge the gun. CORONER’S INQUEST. VERDICT OF SELF-INFLICTED. * An inquest touching the death of Robert Ewing Naismith was held yesterday morning at the Temuka Court House before the district coroner, Mr C. R., Orr-Walker, Sergeant Dwan appearing for the police. • | ‘ * Alexander ,Ejw;in,g Naismith, a labourer, residing at Temuka, gave evidence of identification of .the body as that of his father, who was a coal merchant, a widower, 55 years of age. Witness did not know of any trouble big enough to. cause his father to commit suicide. He last saw his father on Saturday week, when his condition was • nor- ' mal and seemed as usual. He had suffiered no -illitess lately, but about two and a half years ago he had a nervous breakdown .and was’ in hospital. . • Charles ‘Joseph McNulty, a blacksmith, residing at Temuka, stated that he knew Naismith, who lodged at the same hoarding house as witness. He last saw him at minutes to eight on Monday morning last, when he had breakfast - with..him. They went to the gate tc gather and witness got on his bicycle and; went off, Naismith saying. “Good-bye”. He had not used ■the words “Good-bye” previously to witness. Kis general condition recently was alright, but be was very quiet. He complained to witness a day or two beforehand his nerves were not too good. On the Sunday Naismith was talking to witness' about the other side and places,, but did not seem to he depressed at all. He was after a job and seemed, to he worrying about that. As far as , witness knew Naismith was not in financial difficulties and always paid his way. Constable Southworth deposed, : that at about 4.15 the previous day * Tie went, to Naismith’s coal yard and searched the motor shed, where* he saw the : body of deceased lyink* face downwards in a corner. Part of the body was lying on a- rug composed of sacks. The gun praV v "i duced was lying partly underneath, the body and alongside with the left han'd clasping the barrel]. There was a' discharged cartridge in the breach. A blood-stained piece string was lying between ■ the gun and Naismith’s foot. Prom the appearance of the body it suggested that Naismith Was standing up and; discharged the gun full in his yface. The . body was dressed .in working clothes. ,A. ' shot was heard by neighbours at about; 10 a.m. .on Monday morning. The: Coroner found that Naismith . cjied on the 14th February as the result of a gunshot wound self inflicted. , ■ ■■ ’