WAIPUKURAU

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 30 November 1927, Page 3

WAIPUKURAU

DEATH OF MR. LEWIS CORONIAL INQUIRY. An inquest concerning the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Mr. Charles Lewis at IV aipukurau on Monday, was held before Dr. H. W. M. Kendall, District Coroner, in the home of the deceased, Porangahau road, yesierday. The Police Department was represented by Constables O’Halloran and Batchelor. Dr. C. Raymond gave evidence as to knowing the deceased for several years. He had been a patient for some time, suffering from numbness of the left foot and hand, also trembling. Otherwise he was in good health. Witness last saw him on Friday afternoon, when a visit was paid to deceased’s home. He , was called on Monday soon after 7 o’clock and found him dead in circumstances consistent with death from a riflr shot wound. When last seen he had not given any indication of an intention to take his own life. For about six weeks past witness thought that the deceased seemed afraid that he would become paralysed. In witness’ opinion the wound was selfinflicted while deceased was in a state of mental depression. The Rev.. Canon E. D. Rice deposed to knowing the deceased for about three years. He was a man of a happy disposition until the last couple of months, when he had been worrying over his health. Witness was called to the house just before 7 o’clock on Monday morning and saw the body outside a bedroom window. It was lying on the side, with a rifle between the legs, being then quite lifeless. Agatha Lewis, daughter of the deceased, said her father went to bed at about 9.30 o’clock on Sunday night. He seemed despondent during the last, few weeks. The deceased occupied a room by himself and near that of witness. She did not hear any disturbance during the night, nor hear her father get up in the morning. Her mother called witness at about 7 o’clock as her father was missing from his room. She found her father’s dead body outside his room. Witness at once called Canon Rice.

Mrs- Jessie Lewis in her evidence stated that her husband had not been in good health of late and was depressed by it. Formerly he had been very cheerful and never at any time gave an indication of such an intention as the happening. Witness occupied a room adjoining that of witness. She had assisted him to bed at 9.’30 o’clock. Witness was awake from 1.30 till 4 o’clock but heard no sounds. He had been in the habit of reporting how he had slept each morning. Witness woke at about 6.30 o’clock and saw the bedroom door of her husband’s room open and wondered why lie had not come in. She then went to the bedroom, and after a look at the back of the house, came back to the room, when wit* ness saw the gun-case open aix Jhe gun missing. This frightened witness, who then rushed and called her daughter. She then remembered hearing a noise like a report. The window was open, and high up. She saw the body lying outside the room. She at once sent for Dr. Raymond. Her husband bad independent means and no worries except ill-health. CORONER'S VERDICT. The verdict of the coroner was that the deceased Charles Lewis died from a gun-shot injury inflicted by himself whilst in a state of mental depression, due to failing health.