RETURNED SOLDIER’S SUICIDE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2192, 21 October 1920, Page 3

RETURNED SOLDIER’S SUICIDE.

ON EVE ■OF lliS MARRIAGE

Arthur Joseph Best, a returned soldier, 35 years of age, and rtt one lime a Manawatn representalive footballer, shot himself at his brother’s home at Kairunga on Tuesday morning. The deceased had just purchased a farm at Ashhurst, and was to have been married, on Wednesday. During the Gallipoli campaign he was severely wounded In the head, about the body. Deceased had been in bis usual health and spirit.-.

Deceased bad been away in search of a property for himself, and after about ten days’ absence returned to Palmerston North, .and made Hie final arrangements for Hie purchase of a farm near Ashhurst. At 7 o’clock on Tuesday morning he returned to his brother’s heme, find appeared to be in his usual robust health and good spirits, yet at abont 9.15 o’clock a shot was heard in his bedroom. His sister went, in and was horrified to find her brother lying on Hie floor with Hie top of his head blown away. Other members of the household wore called to (he scene, and a shot gun, of which one barrel had been discharged, was found lying at deceased’s feet.

The laic Mr Best was a most popular young man in the district. Of splendid physique, he stood 6ft. 2in. in height, and before Ihe war was a Manawain representative footballer.