CASUALTIES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16145, 25 February 1918, Page 6

CASUALTIES.

0 SUICIDE AT SPREYDON. Aosierdny afternoon. Mr H. Bishop. District Coroner, hold m c* quiry ; nto the death of John Truman of 61 Edinburgh street, Spreydon, who ras found banging in a shod on aneighbour's promises, yesterday afternoon. The deceased was a well-to-do lotired farmer, formerly of Le Bona Bay, and he Jived at Spreydon with his son—recently returned from the front wounded —and his two daughters. D 6. ceased left a note addressed to one of hi» daughters, stating that he was going to do awav with himself, and that he was not msid, but was suffering with his leg and was afraid of being permanently disabled. Ho said that ho aid not want to bo a, worry to anyone, and indicated the place where his body would be found. The evidence disclosed no financial worries or other reason for tho act. A verdict of suicide while of unsound mind was returned. THE TAYLOR'S MISTAKE FATALITY. At the Christchurch Hospital last night, Mr H, W. Bishop, District Coroner, hold an inquest on tho body of JCdmund Morrison Blake, of 68 Fals- ' gravo street, labourer, who has been missing for the past throo weeks. Bioko lelt for his hut at Taylor's Mistake on tile night of February 4th. and was not seen alivo afterwards. His body was washed up at Taylor's Mistake yesterday about midday. \Vm. John Hampton, polico constable at Sumner, said mat at 1 p.m. yesterday, ho received a message from Taylor $ Mistake, to tho effort that a body had been washed up on tho beach He went to the place and found the "body of deceased at high-water mark, where ' it had been placod by tho finders The tfoay was clothed with vest, shirt, and ticygers. it was much decomposed. . onl .v identiliablo by tho clothing. Witness had known tho deceased for , years. Ho was a very steady man. Witness thought deceased must have been washed off the steop steps leading to his •iwhare, as thero was a high sea on nit time of his disappearance, ■?' Frederick "Win. Minchin, taxi-driver,' said ho knew Blake for about seven years. He last saw him at 11.5 p.m. on ' February 4th, and he engaged witness to dnvo him to the top of tho hill going '• to Taylor's Mistake. Witness left de- , ceased aoout 11.55 p.m. Deceased had half a bay of cement to carry over to ?nend his whare, and said that he would; - have to work all night. was working at the Buick garage, and did not corme back to work next day. He .<'■■■ was fully dressod at the time, and perfectly sober. . Lizzie Blake, widow of deceased, said "'iM' she identified deceased's clothing. Hi : / was 50 years of age. She last saw him v alive about 12.50 p.m. on February 4th. She knew he wasjroin- to Taylor's Mis- ' take to mend their whare there. Tho • place was somewhat dangerous in stormy wpr.-ther, and sho was satisfied •. that the affair was an accident. A verdict was returned that "deceased was found drowned on tho beach at Taylor's Mistake." (PRISS ASSOCIATION TKI.EIRWO AUCKLAND, ■ February 24. Alfred Henry Jones, a widower, 60 years of age, was drowned in Manukau harbour &>-day. He had taken a party in a launch _ to_ Waikowhai beach. Ho was sitting in a dinghy alongside the launch when the boat ' capsized as one of tho guests stepped into it. The latter was rescued ty her husband, but Jones sank. His body was recovered. He was m engine-driver on the railways.