DEATH OF MR SAY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5050, 10 November 1926, Page 2

DEATH OF MR SAY.

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST.

VICTIM OF MENTAL DEPRESSION

The inquest touching on the death of Mr A- E. Say, who wa£, found hanging in a shed at the back of his shop on Sunday .afteruopn* was held in the County Chambers on Monday afternoon, before Mr F. E. Flatt, coroner.

George E. Mettam said that the deceased had been residing with him for about a week. Deceased left home about ten o’clock, and before leaving, had told him (witness) that he was going down to the shop for a while. As he did not return, witness said he went to look for him about two o’clock. He found deceased in the hide house, quite dead, hanging by a cord. He then informed the police. Witness stated that deceased was quite all right, bu.t seemed worried. However, he had picked up considerably since he dad started work. Er ( nest Powell, butcher, said that) he was interested in the business with the deceased. Early in September last the deceased came to see him with a view .to purchasing the business back again. He then seemed to be worried, particularly about his affairs at Otahuhu. Deceased came down again at the end of September and discussed the possibility of. taking over the business. On that occasion he was. ill enough to cause witness anxiety. Deceased left on thd evening train to go back to Auckland, but next morning walked into the office. Witness said that he got the impression that; deceased had been walking about. He had gone as far as Te Aroha and then returned by the next train. When he came in that morning he sajd, “I want to tell, you something, but my brain won’t act, and I cannot tell you what Ij want to say.” Witness said that after taking deceased home he sat for an hour or more with his hands to his head, as though he had a great mental upse.t. Business could not be discussed, .and Mr Walter Wight had advised deceased to go home, and he took the evening train for Auckland. Ou October 27 he came down with his wife and said he wished to take over the business. Arrangements were made for, him to take over from November 1. He did not take over then, as he was still worried, but not so bad as; formerly. He then altered his mind and suggested taking over a half share. Witness said that he asked deceased why they should talk businesp at all, and received the reply from deceased that he was all right, but the Otahuhu business was worrying him. They then went to Mr E. W. Porritt,. solicitor, and while there they entered info an agreement to carry on as partners, the deceased having the option of taking over on his; own .account. Financial arrangements werq made and deceased and he were to have met that day to complete the agreement. • Cross-examined by Sergeant Maclean, witness said that the deceased had told him the financial loss, at Otahuhu was about £3OO. Deceased complained th.at he could not think clearly. He appeared anxious to get back into business in Paeroa iF he could. An option was given of £875, and deceased .paid £4OO on account, that sum to go towards the purchase of the whole business if he decided to buy outright. Witness said tha.t there was nothing wrong with the Paeroa business. Deceased had started with him on November 1 as a worker at £6 a week on the understanding that a partnership was to be entered into. He had no doubt in his mind that deceased took his own life owing to. the business worries and illness he had had since leaving - 'Paeroa.

Mrs Say, wife of the deceased, said that they had been married 16 years this month. There were, three children. They had resided in Paeroa until March last, when they removed to Auckland. Some little time afterwards her late husband opened a butcher’s shop in Otahuhu. About a month later he closed the shop becajise it did not turn out as good as he expected, and since then he had been very nervous and depressed at times. He was under a doctor at Otahuhu who had prescribed for him for nerve trouble. Witness said that on the morning of his death deceased said he was going to the shop, and there was nothing to indicate, that' he was going to do away with himself. Outside of his illness and financial worries he was a very happy man. He was a total abstainer, and his affairs were quite solvent. He used to say that he had lost confidence in himself after the Otahuhu failure. He did not suffer to any great extent. Constable McClinchy gave evidence of the finding of the boJy in the hide shed. He immediately cut the body down and found it quite cold. He identified the body as that of Mr A. E. Say. He had known deceased for six years, and had found him to be a highly respected citizen, sober in his habits, and well liked in the district. Witness said that amongst deceased personal letters were .two prescriptions, bne of which had been dispensed by Mr Hedge, chemist, who had stated that the medicine was for nerve trouble.

The Coroner, in summing up, said that there was no doubt as to the cause of the death of Mr Say. It was to be regretted, as he was a highly respected citizen. The evidence went to prove that he had unduly worried himself. The verdict was that the deceased met his death on Sunday, November 7, between the hours of 10 and 3 p.m. in ,a shed adjoining his business premises, the cause of death being by hanging himself while in a state of temporary mental derangement and on the verge of a nervous; breakdown. The Coroner said that the 'relatives not only had the sympathy of the Court, but that of every citizen of the town. THE FUNERAL. The mortal remains of the late Mr A. E. Say were interred at the Pukerimu cemetery, Paeroa, yesterday afternoon. The large and representa-

tive attendance of citizens bore testimony to the high esteem in which deceased was held. Included in the many, beautiful floral emblems: were wreaths from St. Paul’s Anglican parishioners, St. Paul’s vestry, Paeroa Bowling Club,. and Paeroa Orphans’ Club, of which institutions deceased had been a member. The letxgthy cortege left fx-om the Masonic Lodge, and four brethren of Lodge Ohinemuri, of which he was a member, acted as pall-bearers. The service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. J. Connolly (Te Aroha), followed by the Masonic burial service recited by Wor. Bro. B. Gwilliain, P.M.