THE BRUNNER SENSATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 101, Issue 16948, 10 November 1926, Page 7

THE BRUNNER SENSATION.

MURDER AND SUICIDE. EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. WIFE'S INTERFERENCE IN BUSINESS (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, November 8. At the inquest concerning the deaths of Mr Roscoe Brunner and his wife, who were both found shot dead in a cottage at Roehampton, Putney, evidence was given by the deceased man's brother, Sir John Brunner. Witness said that if his brother knew his wife had been visiting newspaper offices regarding his business affairs it would have exasperated him without measure. It would even have turned his brain. His brother, he said, had recently suffered from a serious blow in his retirement from the chairmanship of the Brunner, Mond Company, Ltd., following upon an unfortunate business deal which involved a loss of thousands of pounds. Then the knowledge that he' had not been given a place on the board of the recently-formed chemical group, in which his own company was merged, had been an acute disappointment to him and to his wife.

Witness said that Hie couple had lived on affectionate terms, but the wife was moody and sometimes difficult to get on. with. Her interference in business affairs had greatly distressed her husband. The latter had loyally abided by the decision of his colleagues, but his wife had refused to accept it. The financial position of the deceased was very sound, said witness. It was a question of personal pride, not of finance.

The coroner, in summing up, protested against the manner in which certain newspapers had conducted their own inquiries, and had arrived at a verdict, lie suggested that a provision should be inserted in the Coroners' Bill, now pending in the House of Commons, to regulate the publication of such comment before an. inquiry. , A verdict was returned of murder and suicide while of unsound mind. The jury endorsed the coroner's condemnation of the newspaper publicity.

-., LATER. AN UNPRETENTIOUS FUNERAL SECRETARY ONLY ATTENDS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Nov. .10, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 'J. Only the secretary or Hip Brunner Monti Company attended the funeral of Mr anttMrs Brunner. The undertakers' men attended in closed ears, which were not wreathed. The procession made a lengthy detoiir, and twice circled Woking before entering.'• The bodies were cremated behind locked doors.