A TRAGIC END.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 467, 22 May 1912, Page 5

A TRAGIC END.

MR. W. H. ADAMS

A gloom was cast over To Kuiti last Monday afternoon when it became known that the county engineer, William Henry Adams, had taken his life The late engineer was highly repected by a large circle of friends, and his services were highly appreciated by the Waitomo County Go'uncil as was shown by that body's recent action in substantially increasing his salary. The deepest sympathy of the whole community is extended to the widow, children and relatives of deceased.

The funeral took place this morning when a large number of citizens attended as an expression of their respect and sympathy. THE INQUEST. The inquest on the body of William Henry Adams, late county engineer to the Waitomo County Council, was held on Tuesday afternoon, before the coroner, Mr Teasdale, J.P. J. Sanderson, in his evidence. stated that he knew the deceased for about four years. Was serving in Green and Colebrook's on May 20th when deceased visited the shop. While waiting to be attended to by the salesman deceased and some other customers chatted and jnked. Then deceased asked for a gun. One was shown by witness and accepted by deceased as being suitable and he requested to be supplied with cartridges. In reply to witness' question as to the kind of cartridge required, deceased replied "Something that will kill." A package was supplied and deceased left the store with his purchases. Almost immediately witness heard the report of a gun and information was brought into the store that a man had shot himself in the back yard. Witness proceeded to the yard and saw deceased lying against the fence. Deceased was in good spirits while in the shop and did not appear as if he contemplated taking his life. Peter Mora, clerk to the Waitomo County Council, stated that he knew the deceased for some twelve months. Deceased visited the County Chambers at about 1.30 p.m., proceeding into his own room. Witness visited the room and observed the deceased sitting in a chair wtih a pencil and paper before him. After enquiring if everything was in order and receiving a satisfactory reply, deceased extended his hand saying "Good-bye." Witness asked where he was going and deceased said "Heaven or hell." Witness said "Don't talk rot." Deceased left remarking that he knew the council meeting was to be held that evening, but observed he would not be there. He appeared a little depressed. His deafness appeared to worry him as he remarked previously that he felt the affliction would drive him mad. There was no cause for suicide, as his work wa3 .satisfactory as far as the council was concerned.

Constable Capp gave evidence as to removal of body, etc. Mr Finlay, who represented the relatives, notified the coroner that no reason could be assigned for the ra3h act, as deceased was a very affectionate husband and father, and relatives were at an absolute loss to account for any cause leading to his self-destruction.

A verdict was recorded that "Deceased took his own ilfe while temporarily deranged. 7 '