A TRAGIC STORY

Waikato Times, Volume 93, Issue 14540, 11 December 1920, Page 15 (Supplement)

A TRAGIC STORY

REJECTED LOVER’S SUICIDE. What appears to be a tragedy 01 unrequitted love has occurred al Pwllgvvaun, near Pontypridd. A young man, Joseph Ball, 20 years ol tage, and an ex-soldier, was found shot through the head al the back of the house of the young lady with whom he had kept company until recently. About a month previously, it is staled, the young couple ceased walking out together, but there had been no quarrel. Ball, it is now known, met the young lady, Miss Jones, one Saturday night, and they had a brief conversation, A German Revolver. The tragedy occurred in the early hours of the morning. The district was startled by a revolver shot. Police-constable Farr was immediately culled, and going to the lane between Pwllgwaun Hoad and Lee Street, picked up Bull just as he was breathing his last. He had been shot with a German automatic pistol, the bullet entering just above the right ear and coming out over the left eye. The tragedy happened at the back en-trance-to the young womans residence.

On Ball were found two live cartridges. ft appears that he had been In the habit of carrying a revolver •with him, and on one occasion it is said he made the statement that if the girt in question did 'iot keep company with him he would shoot himselt. On the body .va . I'm ud a letter addressed to the father and mother. Ball had served in the Army in France, and was regarded as a particularly steady young man. Young Lady’s Story. Miss Jonw> slated that, although she had Lad no quarrel with Ball, she had told him that she did not wish 1 to marry him, and that she would rather just he a frieuu lu i..m. was particularly friendly with her twin brother, who had recently been 111. He wrote with his left hand, as he had tost the grip of his right through an injury whilst serving in France. She had not received many letters from him, but the last sent her was a long one. In this he stated that she was the only girl he would love in Hie world, and that he would like to give her a farewell kiss. She had become afraid of him, because once or twice he had threatened to do away with himself, and she had become aware that he carried a loaded revolver. Once he tried to mesmerise her. He was good al conjuring, and was something of a comedian. Engagement Ring. At the inquest, when a verdict of "Suicide during temporary insanity" was returned, Miss Ada Jones stated. In answer to Mr W. E. Hammond, who represented Ball’s relatives, that prior to August Bank Holiday she had agreed to become engaged to Ball, and with her consent lie ordered a ring. Later, however, she changed her mind. Mr Hammond: Why did you suddenly change your mind? Witness: My parents did not approve of him. Did a man named Butcher come home on furlough from the Navy ana give you a ring about this time? —He gave me a ring as a present. Did you wear it on your engagement finger?—Sometimes. When Butcher had finished his furlough did you take up with a man • named Bloomer?—I walked out with him sometimes. So that the cause of all the trouble between you was that you llirled with other boys?—l told him I did not want to marry him. Well, what did you mean when he wrote like lids: "1 know Dial you did. not mean any harm. If you had only told me you did nut love me, and that you were only going with me for pastime and would throw me over j later, I would nut have learned to w love you so much"?—He told me that he did not think of loving any girl, as he had his mind on his business. You have given Butcher back his ring?—Yes, iasi Friday. Has Bloomer given you a ring now? ■r— No. sir. ■Were you surprised when you heard Ball had shot himself?—Yes. The Coroner next read a portion of a letter which lie had before him as follows: —"I know f can't have you, and I am going to put an end to It all. By the lime you get this letter I shall be in another world out or the way.” Woman’s Privilege. There seemed to he no doubt, added Hie Coroner, that- Hie young man intended to commit suicide. Probably if Ball had lived another six. months lie would have found that Hie feelings he had were not permanent, and he would have found another girl. In justice to Miss Jones, he might say that a girl had a right to change her own mind in regard to a young man who was going out witli her. It was quite evident from the fact that she did nut actually, become engaged to deceased that she was not a very willing party, and it was far better for a girl to change tier mind than to marry and regret it. afterwards.