A DISTRACTED FATHER.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15310, 10 August 1923, Page 6

A DISTRACTED FATHER.

SAD SUICIDE,

'I HAVE NO FIGHT LEFT."

The Westminster coroner, Mr. Inglcby Oddic, held an inquest on Sir Henry Primrose, 77, a cousin of Lord Rosebcry, who was found shot in Kensington Gardens, with a revolver by his side. Mr. Reginald Primrose, of -'o*i, Hyde Park-gate, said his father, who lived in Ennismore-gardens, Kensington had not been ill lately but had suffered from insomnia, and had been attended by a nurse. The Coroner: Was he well enough to get up every day?—Yes, and he went out sometimes by himself. Mr. Primrose said he called on his father on Saturday evening and spent the evening with him. Sir Henry seemed quite cheerful. The nurse who attended Sir Henry said he had suffered very badly from loss of sleep, and when he had a bad night he always seemed very distressed. ' The coroner, in summing up, said there was no doubt Sir Henry intended to commit the deed, for he had left a letter to the police and to his son. In the letter to. his son he wished his son goodbye and asked him to forgive him. The letter went on: "I know that I am about to do what will seem unpardonable to most, but I have lost all hope of recovery in this horrible nervous breakdown which is now worse than ever the former one was. I have no light left in me and without that no treatment can bo of any use. I feel my mind is giving way and soon I shall be unequal to any real work, a miserable wreck, a misery to myself and to all who care for me. Better far to end it at once. Shameful and horrible though the process may be, time will dull the pain and you will have someone to help you bear it. ... It is such anguish to think of leaving you all and the distress I shall cause. As I write I wonder if I sna ll really have the courage to carry out my intention. My last thoughts will be of you.—A Distracted Father." The Coroner returned a -verdict of ..suicide durinc .tennmrary-dnsanltj.