WAITED IN BED FOR DEATH.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1926, Page 4

WAITED IN BED FOR DEATH.

BUNGALOW SUICIDE PACT. LONDON. December 15. The inquest was held at Ilarpendcu, Hertfordshire, yesterday on John AlcGregor, 52, and Isabella Aitkcn, 49, his wife, who wore found dead on Tuesday in their bungalow. The Hermitage, AJoreton End-lane, Ilarpenden. Police-Sergeant Batchelor said a pipe had been disconnected from a gas stove in the bedroom and the tap was turned mi full. Air and Airs AlcGregor were lying side by side in bed holding

hands. Under the eiderdown a Pekingese dog lav dead. A letter addressed to Air J. Cattou, The Ridge, Harpenden, ran: “ I write you this note to thank you for your kindness and courtesy. 1 am very anxious you should lie at no loss. Will you kindly sec to the disposal of the house and also furniture and pay yourself the mortgage, etc., out of same. Perhaps you will also see that my darling wife and myself are buried together in the churchyard at Harpenden or anywhere.” The letter contained an instruction to let a married sister of liis wife living at Port Glasgow have anything she might wish, asked Mr Cation’s acceptance of a bureau, and concluded: “T hereby cancel all former wills made by me.—John McGregor, November 30, 1923.”

Mr Cotton said his attention was drawn to the house by the agent of a London firm who had arrived to collect furniture which had not been paid for. There were no documents showing that the couple were financially embarrassed.

The Coroner said there was a note in .Mrs McGregor’s writing setting out amounts due to tradesmen and leaving 10s in payment. TRAGEDY OF LOST HOPE. Hr Catton, who is a builder, stated that Mr McGregor owed the local council £BOO for his house. Mr McGregor also owed him £l5O, but lie was not pressing for payment. He understood that Mr McGregor left Dublin last year intending to build up a consultative optician’s business among schools and institutions in London and the home counties, but later he expressed doubt as to his being successful. He thought McGregor was financially embarrassed and lost confidence. The jury found that -Air and Mrs .McGregor committed suicide by premeditated pact while in a state of depression and that there was no evidence of insanity. They expressed sympathy with Airs AlcGregor’s sisters, who had come from Scotland to the inquest. The Coroner recorded a verdict of Folo de se in each case.