EX-SOLDIER’S SUICIDE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1925, Page 4

EX-SOLDIER’S SUICIDE

[Tit 'J'l-U.KCIt.Wri—PKU I'StRSS ASSOCIATION AI GK LAND, dune 1. | Evidence o! a premeditated and determined resolve-; to commit suicide via-, produced al an inquest before L rmi r E. K. Hunt. S.M.. in connection m itli the death of Alfred Hurst, aged about 13 years, who was found dead under a tree in Albert Bark on Sunday evening, with a wound in his head and a shot-gun in his right hand. Two letters written by deceased were handed in. also two portions of the shot-gun. and an empty cartridge ease. Tile gun had been .shortened, (In the Stock Mas a card bearing tlie lob lon ing si-iiteuee : “My enemies will gloat, no doubt, over my death, but 1 am Hot afraid to die.”

There was another me-sage on a detached part of the barrel, stating “positively no mm else tins complicated in the buying id' thi- gun. | Uiught it myself for self destruction.'’

I 'Tool ci identification was given by Arthur LLard Powell. perambulator manufacturer, who said Hurst was a basket maker, living :;L Eden Terrace. He was a widower, and is survived by a son, believed to he at Invercargill. He laid suffered great pain front a war V'uuntl, and was often depressed in spirits in consequence. On Friday

nip. lit witness last saw him. and he then signified his intention to go to Australia for a holiday. LL’ilness produced a letter, received by tip, post yesterday morining from Hurst, in it lie stated: "i have changed niy views re the holiday. ] prefer death.

iam sick, tired and full up of Iit e a it is." Dr. Lindsay deposed that death w.:. title to the destruction of the base o

t he skull am! brain by the discharging ol a loaded .-hot gnu. Deceased had apparently placed the barrel in his mouth and pulled the trigger.

| Cm,-table Orr -aid he was in Albert 1 Park tin Sunday when he hoard a shotgun nearby and found Hurst lying dead under a tree. Witness produced a letter found on the hotly, and atl-<irec-seil to Cliiei' Bctoctive CTinuniiig. In this Hurst stated he wished it to he cleat ly understood that lie bought the gun on .'Saturday morning, giving a wrong address, because lie wanted the weapon to end hi- life. "Had I been left alone in my own quiet means. I Would not have taken my life, hut a cert.-im ela.-s oi tim community insist mi back-biting and per-et titing me. and what with ill health of the after-effects of the war. 1 cannot tolerate the existing state of antagonism.” Horace Bichard Leppard said he occupied the same premises as Hurst. The latter was on good terms with witness and his neighbours. The coroner returned a verdict o; | suicide by shooting.