A VICTIM OF GAMBLING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1343, 16 September 1886, Page 2

A VICTIM OF GAMBLING

Auckland, September 15

At the inquest on Harry Hall, who shot himself last night, a verdict of “ shot himself in a fit of despondency and state of temporary insanity” was returned. Little fresh evidence was disclosed. In his pocket was discovered the following note, showing the deed had been premeditated ;—“To the Coroner. Sir, — Before ending my sad career, 1 wish to let the public know of the trap I have been led into. I was told hy a friend, who I thought I could trust, to back certain horses. I now find that he was pot up to tell me, so that I led another into the trap into which I fell myself.” The document bore no signature, neither was it dated. A number of stiff and blood stained colored posters were prodoced, on the back of which were several pencilled statements written by deceased after the shooting. One of them stated he had two sisters at Gisborne ; that he had been led into a trap, and that as he already stood to loose £SO, he had resolved to take his life. It appears deceased has been in the habit of betting with the barman of a well-known hotel On one oocassion when Hall was “ struck”—only a short time ago—he lost considerably over the win of Meteor in the Hawkes. bnry Handicap. The person alladed (o had a wager on with Hall in connection with Monte Christo, and Ghance, in the Metropolitan Stakes, to be run shortly: Having lost on Meteor, he c nsequently thought that his money was also gone on Monte Christo Dread that he would lose dispirited him, and this, it is concluded, is the reason why be destroyed himself.