VERDICT OF SUICIDE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 280, 25 November 1937, Page 8

VERDICT OF SUICIDE

BANK OFFICER’S DEATH “WORRIED ABOUT FINANCES’’ [ Per Press Association. ] INVERCARGILL, Nov. 24. A verdict of suicide by shooting with a revolver was returned by the Coroner, Mr. W. H. Freeman, S.M., at an inquest this afternoon on George Henry Sinclair, bank officer, who was found dead on the premises of the Bank of Australasia on the morning of October 26. Evidence in form of a sworn statement was given by Frederick Merven Blank, hotel porter at present unemployed, who said he was in Sinclair’s company on Labour Day. They consumed a quantity of liquor at Bluff and in Invercargill. When leaving Sinclair, the last words witness said to him were "I will see you to-mor-row.” Sinclair replied “I don’t think you will as I am going to bump myself off.” That was the only thing he said which would indicate that he intended to take his life. Police-Sergeant John O'Shea said that Sinclair was supposed to be a single man but correspondence found among his effects indicated that he was married and subsequent inquiries proved this to be correct. The marriage certificate showed that Sinclair was married at Dunedin on July 22, 1937. Other correspondence found in a pocket of his coat indicated that he was worried about his financial position and among this correspondence witness found a notice of his resignation from the bank service. This notice was headed “Invercargill” and was not dated. It was addressed to the manager of the bank and was signed G. H. Sinclair.