WAS IT DEATH PACT?

Evening Star, Issue 19788, 11 February 1928, Page 4

WAS IT DEATH PACT?

THE POINT CHEVALIER TRAGEDY BOTH HAD SPOKEN OF SUICIDE {Fza United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, February 10. 'A verdict that the male deceased shot his wife and then himself was returned by the coroner (Mr P. K. Hunt, S.M.) at the adjourned inquest into the deaths of the victims of the Point Chevalier tragedy—Peter William Clos and Beatrice Mabel Clos, who were found dead in their home at Raymond road on Thursday, January 26. The evidence indicated that both Clos and his wife were suffering from nerve trouble, and that the man had complained of failing eyesight. Both had spoken of putting an end to their lives. Chief Detective Hammond informed the coroner that he had a statement supplied by Base Records, which he wished to read in order to clear up an allegation made to certain of the newspapers by friends of Close that his failing eyesight was due to war service. According to the statement Clos’s (Overseas service lasted from May, 1916, to June, 1917. and he was invalided out on account of a wound in the wrist. His eyesight was normal when he enlisted. He did not receive treatment for sickness when 'on service, and there was no record of his being injured by a bursting shell, or suffering from shellshock. His wound was not a distressing one. On discharge he received a pension of 35s a week for twelve months, and at expiry of that period he sought to re-enlist for home service. Ho was not taken back, but his pension was renewed for two further periods of twelve months, making three years in all. He made no furtner application for a pension, or for medical treatment. If he had done so his claim would have received every consideration, and if he had substantiated it ho would certainly have received medical treatment entirely free of cost.