A SAD AFFAIR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1582, 12 October 1905, Page 3

A SAD AFFAIR.

A BANK MANAGER’S SUICIDE.

LEAVE CAME TOO LATE,

An inquiry was held at Napier on Saturday with regard to the death of Henry Alexander Warren whoso body was found in the Napier harbor near the breakwater on the previous day. In addition to the facts already reported, it was shown by the evidence that the de* ceased, with his wife and children, arrived in Napier on September 22nd, he having been granted two months' leave of absence from his position of manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Waipukurau, and went to stay at Mrs p rovis’ boarding house on the Marine parade. His sight had been failing, and Dr Godfray ordered immediate rest from his bank duties. He was not at once relieved, a month elapsing before he could get away, and, as Mrs Warren stated in her evidence, when notice of his leave at length arrived, he was greatly pleased and excited, having been fearful that it would never come. After his arrival in Napier his eyes troubled him greatly, and Drs. Bernau and Ronald were called in to attend him. Ihe medical men found him in a depressed state of mind, suffering from melancholia and delusions, Dr Donald stating at the inquest that Mr Warren’s mind was completely deranged, and that he had suicidal tendencies. In a letter received by Dr Ronald from Dr Godfray, the latter stated:—“Weeks ago I urged him to get leave, but the general manager wrote saying that it was not convenient. I finally wrote, saying he must get away." Dr Ronald had recommended that the deceased should be kept under restraint, but Mrs Warren hoped she would be able to exercise the necessary control. On Friday morning he got away from the house, and his body was shortly afterwards found in the water under the circumstances already stated. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased committed suicide while ol unsound mind