A HAVELOGK TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1920, Page 2

A HAVELOGK TRAGEDY

LOVE-SICK YOUTH

TAKES HIS OWN LIFE

The circumstances in regard to th« death of Darcy Lee McManaway, If years of age, whose body was found lianging in a s]ied at Havelock, were revealed at the inuqest, the particulars of which have been received by the Superintendent of Police. The evidence given was to the effect that the deceased became enamoured of a young lady at Havelock, and flesired to keep company with her. It appeared that ho was not encouraged, i and he informed the young lady in question that he would commit suicide by shooting himself if she did not agree to become his sweetheart. On December 19th the deceased attended a dance, and amongst those present at the function was the young lady, who was escorted by another man. The following morning tlie deceased was despondent, and refused breakfast, giving as a reason that he did not feel well. Mr James Jones, his employer, invited him to go to Blenheim in a motor-car, and the deceased replied that lie thought lie would accept the offer. A few minutes later lie was seen walking in the direction of a shed. That was at 8.45 o’clock on the morning of December 20th, and at 11.15 o’clock Philip Vercoo a. feHowemployee, went across to the shed to sleep there. On entering the building he found the deceased hanging by the neck, and dead. The rope by which the deceased was hanging had been passed over a beam in the shed ten feet from the ground. On one end was a. running noose, which was placed round deceased’s neck, and the opposite end of the rope had been secured to a wooden pin in a post. The deceased had apparently mounted the side of the horse-stall 4ft 6in high, and had then jumped. His feet were three incites from the ground. Written in pencil on a wall in the shed was the following message:—“ Dear , goodbye. Hpiio’yfmr life will'bp a happy one. Good-bve,' sweetheart. %