DISTRESSING SUICIDE.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 October 1921, Page 2

DISTRESSING SUICIDE.

(ltiangnhua Times). Quito n sensation was created in Reelton on Thursday, when it became known that Mr Frank Wills, a wellknown and much esteemed resident ot Reelton since childhood, and a member of the firm of Messrs J. Wills and to., Duller Road, had boon found dead in the coal house attached to his residence ill Dawson Street. The deceased bad been for a long time very ill and j lately had been very depressed, "hisj moniing he was apparently quite cheerful and lie employed himselt cutting wood, and towards mid-day left oft,] and when he was looked tor he was found hanged hv a r<>i>c in the coal house and quite dead. Dr Scott was at once sent for and pronounced Hr Wills lievond human aid. The deceased was 14 years of age and alid made all preparations to leave lor the south on Tuesday next, lie leaves a widow, to whom the sympathy ot tin whole district will lie extended, as wel as to his aged mother and sisters ami brother. INQUEST. An inquest was held in in the afternoon at the residence of deceased, bv Won Moldrum, Ksq., Coroner. Formal evidence was given by .Jessi ■ Wills, wife of the deceased, to the effect that deceased went into the yard to cut wood at noon. She went into the coal shed at 12.30 and there saw her husband hanging by a mix' Inniu rafter with his feet just touching the ground. She cut the body down and it was quite warm. She sent tor 'Di Scot* who arrived almost immediately and pronounced life extinct. Deceased has been suffering trout a nervous breakdown for about a year and this morning seemed very depressed because he could not work. Dr Scott and Sergt. Hyland gave corroborative evidence, and the Coroner returned the following verdict, “deceased hanged himself ill a tit <■ temporary insanity.”