CUSTODIAN’S DEATH

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1931, Page 2

CUSTODIAN’S DEATH

VERDICT. OF SUICIDE. AUCKLAND, July 27. “On- the evidence before me I can reach no conclusion other than that deceased 'committed suicide,” said the Coroner, Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the inquest concerning the death on July 14 of Henry Tyson Foster, aged fiftyeight years, custodian of the Government Buildings in Customs Street. Dr. Main, of the Auckland Hospital staff, said deceased was suffering from fractures, death being caused by shock following these injuries. A charwoman of the building said she had been short paid by the custodian and had complained. She knew the other charwoman had been short paid. On three occasions she had received £3 12s lOd from Foster and had signed for £4 Is. Another charwoman said she had been given wages for one week instead of two on June 8 and had been given the full amount when she threatened to write to Wellington. “On several occasions I signed for a higher rate of wage than I actually received from deceased,” said "a third charwoman’-; “Several times before the wage reduction on March 31 I signed for £4 10s when I received £4 Is or £4. After that daite I received £3 12s lOd a number of times when I signed for £4 Is. Deceased told me that the deductions were paid into the public account. Later lie said the amount would be restored and from then on he paid the correct sum.” An examiner of the Government Audit Department, Charles Enston, said it was intended to hold an inquiry into the unauthorised! deductions alleged. The Coroner returned a verdict that Foster’s death was the result of injuries received when he threw himself down a lift well.