YOUNG COUNT'S SUICIDE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7924, 1 February 1904, Page 2

YOUNG COUNT'S SUICIDE

• _^ — .» — UNDERGRADUATE SHOOTS HIMSELF IN AN HOJEL, A tragic story of a young count's suicide at the Carlton Hotel, London t was unfolded at the Westminster Coroner's Court early in December. Two curious letters, written, 'by the youth, were read. Gount Balint Nemes, a Hungarian, aged seventeen, went to the Carlton to stop one Wednesday. His door was knocked at several times the next day, but there was no answer, and ultimately admittance was gained by a pass keyf The fount was then found lying dead on the floor, between the dreseing-table and the' bed. A fivechambered revolver was in his handjt and he had shot himself in the head. A detective who was called to the scene ©aid that certain signs led t<> the conjecture that the youth had shot himself while standing in front of the looking-glass. Count Nemes was an undergraduate of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and a fellowstudent, Mr G. J. Ambrozy, wsnt into, the box and told what* ha knew about his friend. '■ - The latter had, he said, been two months in England, having matriculated at the commencement of the present term, The witr ness last sa\y him alive & week before at Cambridge. B*e had spoken in & jocular manner of taking his life, but the witness did not think he meant it. He knew that ho owed money and 1 that he possessed a pistol. The witness was understood to say that every student had his revolver. He never thought the count insane. Further evidence- was given, showing that the deceased was in his nightglpthes when his body was discovered. A gun. license issued 1 in his name at Cambridge, on December 7, was found 1 * and also two lettersj addressed and sealed. ' .-Translations of these were read : — The first addressed to Mr Ambrozy, ran as follows i— " Cambridge, 1903—6—12. My Dear Ambrozy ,-r! greatly regret that I should give you such an annoyance, more so as I ask you now to render me a. service. I have been forced to do it, and it is greatly to be regretted. . I cannot forget this is my last act. " First "of all, I implore you not to leave Cambridge, where you have plenty of amusements; secondly, will you please ask my parents to have all mj belongings taken away from Cambridge, &Ik> the greater part of my furniture, so' that they may have a souvenir ; thirdly, you takeo ver my debts, also the money which will arrive from my parents, and then pay everything. "When you win the prijze ' of Banffy Administration it would be a pleasure to me to pay you the sovereign I would owe you in sixty years' time, and I will pay yon when we meet in heaven. "With this I close my letter with my last good-bv/j.— Yaw friend, Balint." To his mother the deceased wrote:—* "Dear Mother,— l sincerely regret I have to give you so much sorrow. It is not my fault nor yours, because I have seen long since that I cannot exist in thw way. "I came to England with the intention to live well during the last two months of mv life, and I ran into debt to the amount of £3000. I hope the family is in good health and happyt and will remember my name. — Bal." The jury returned a verdict of " Suicide,'' adding that there was no evidence to show the state of the deceased's mind.