FOUND SHOT

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 31, 6 February 1931, Page 16

FOUND SHOT

SOLICITOR'S SUICIDE

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, sth February. Mr. K. Neave, of Lane, Neave, and Wanklyn, solicitors, was found shot this morning at his home. At an inquest this afternoon, Douglas Endell Wanklyn, of the legal firm of Neave and Wanklyn, stated that he last saw Neave at 9.30 this morning, and apparently thtre was nothing uri^ usual in his demeanour. He was a wealthy man, and apart from his interest in the firm be would be worth, on a conservative estimate £50,000, even taking into account the depressed state ■of all markets. The witness knew Neave was very worried about financial conditions generally and over the affairs of some of his clients. Witness produced a lettor written by Neave to him dealing mostly with the affairs of the firm's clients. The Coroner, after reading the letter, said that Neavo had stated that he did not feel equal to carrying the responsibilities that had devolved upon him. He had taken on far too much and did not feel ho had the ability to carry i such a heavy load. The envelope of the lettor addressed to Wanklyn bore a message, "The earthquake finally maddened me." The Coroner saul the letter was of a. hysterical nature showing the stat.o of Neave's mind. The Coroner returned a verdict that Neave died of a gunshot wound selfinflicted while in a state of depression, due to existing conditions.