SUICIDE AT SPOTSWOOD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 145085, 9 September 1916, Page 3

SUICIDE AT SPOTSWOOD.

DEATH OP MR. V.'. J. B. PATON. Mr. Whitcford John Bell Patou, a resident cf Spotswood, committed suicide by shooting himself with a pea rifle ’at 1.30 this morning. It is understood that Mr. Paton had been far from well for some time. Ho retired at the usual hour last night, and his family were aw-akened at 1.30 by the sound of a sboT. On investigating they found the deceased lying in the passage, having shot himself with a pea rifle. The police were communicated with, and,Constables Parkinson and Naugliton motored to Spotswood, with Dv. Pookes. The body was afterwards conveyed to the morgue. An inquest was opened at the Courthouse tins morning, before Mr. A.’ Crooke, S.M. After hearing evidence of identification the inquest was adjourned till Monday next, at 11 a.m. The lato Mr. Paton was formerly farming at Sentry Hill, where he had a choice herd of pedigree Jerseys. Some months ago ill-health compelled him to retire from farming, and quite recently he was a patient for some weeks at the New Plymouth Hospital.