A MAN’S SUICIDE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 233, 1 October 1929, Page 7

A MAN’S SUICIDE

CORONER’S COMMENT [ Per Press Association. ] AUCKLAND, Sept. 30. Giving evidence at the inquest on Alfred James Barker, his wife stated that she had been at a euchre party with her two children, returning home at 10.45 p.m. She found b ? husband on the kitchen floor with a gas tube in his mouth and his head under a cloth. She did not think he was dead as she had seen him like that before. When he was drunk he slept in the kitchen. Therefore she did not notify the police. He had previously threatened to shoot himself. She later informed Walters who rented a room in the house, that she thought her husband had gassed himself. Walters said that he thought Barker was in a drunken sleep. Mrs Barker and Walters retired to their respective rooms at 2 a.m. and at 4 a.m. she (Mrs Barker) looked at her husband, who remained in the same position. Then she called Walters and they sent for the police. Walters, in evidence said that he: did not think Barker was dead. Although his hands were cold he did not advise calling a doctor. Mr Hunt, S.M., Coroner, returned a verdict of suicide by gas poisoning. He said: “The circumstances are very peculiar, but no doubt they acted bona fide.*’