A SAD OCCURRENCE

Waikato Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3025, 11 December 1928, Page 4

A SAD OCCURRENCE

MR A. H. GASCOIGNE MISSINa.

CAR FOUND ON HIGH LEVEL

BRIDGE.

Residents of the town and borough were shocked yesterday morning when the news went abroad that Mr Alfred Henry Gascoigne ,the well-known local solicitor, and one of the foremost residents of the district, was missing and that his car had been fdund drawn up on the high level bridge. Yesterday morning, about 7.30 o'clock, Mr Gascoigne left home at Leamington in his car to execute some little commissions in the town. He was seen to enter the post ofiiee, and shortly after was observed driving down Victoria Street in the direction of the bridge. The car was subsequently observed by several residents standing on the left handside of the bridge facing in the direction of Leamington. A resident who lives opposite the bridge on the Leamington side saw that the car continued to remain on the bridge and communicated with the owner's house. As Mr Gascoigne did not return, and as he was not at his office, the police were notified. A thorough search was made of the river and the banks in the vicinity; also further down the river, but no trace of the missing man was found. The Hamilton police were also notified of the happening, and a close watch was kept on the river lower down. In the afternoon Constable Jones, accompanied by Mr J. Douce, made a thorough search of the river in an out-rig-ger motor boat, but without avail, and all efforts up to the present have been fruitless.

Mr Gascoigne had been in ill-health for some considerable time. Recently he had been in Auckland for about three weeks, seeking treatment and medical' advice, but on his return he continued to be very depressed, and on occasions last week appeared to be al-, most in a state of nervous collapse. During the week he made a request to his partner, Mr F. Kingsford, that on account of his continued ill-health, the partnership bo dissolved. After suggesting that it might bo better for Mr Gascoigne to have a long holiday and a thorough rest, Mr Kingsford agreed to the request, and Mr Gascoigne assigned the whole of his interests and goodwill in the partnership to his partner, it being decided that the latter should carry on as from yesterday. It is quite evident that the sad occurrence is entirely due to a' nervous collapse brought on by severe insomnia, as Mr Gascoigne had no business or financial worries whatever. Mr Gascoigne was 50 years of age. The position is a most ,sad one for the family, and they will have the sympathy of the entire district, and especially from a very wide circle of friends. Mr Gascoigne was a man of high principle and the utmost integrity, held in the highest respect by all who knew him s He was a member of the Leamington Town Board and since going to reside in Leamington had taken the keenest interest in the district's affairs. His interests not only applied to Leamington but also to the borough. He was previously an able member of the Borough Council and also a prominent member of the Literary and Debating Society. He took a keen interest and Was ever ready to assist in anything pertaining to 1 the welfare of the town and district. Mr-Gascoigne came to Cambridge from Hunterville about ten years' ago, and had practised his profession here since.