TRAGIC SUICIDE IN WANGANUI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2512, 30 November 1922, Page 2

TRAGIC SUICIDE IN WANGANUI.

PATHETIC LETTERS TO WIFE. Wanganui, Last Night. Pathetic*, evidence was given at the inquest on the late Mr Douglas Earle- this afternoon. Deceased was an old and well-known resident but had for some time given way to drink, as the result of which he lost a good tailoring business.' His wife on Monday obtained a separation order, which apparently broke Earles 1 heart as lie was very fond of his wife and family. The wife, who was of a nervous disposition and a long suffer from illness, was also fond of her husband, but her health forbade the continued worry. Earles went to the police sergeant aiuTbegged him to urge bis wife to hold over the case till June uext, . when if prohibition were carried, he thought they could live together happily. The wife, however, went on with the petition and Earles, calling at a local chemist’s on the way from Court, bought prussic acid, which he took after reaching home. Before taking the fatal step, he wrote a pathetic note to his wife, saying that he could not live without her and acknowledging that his weakness was the cause of all the trouble.

He concluded: “Good-bye: I shall meet you all in Heaven.” A second letter also to his wife, which was timed 12.35 half an hour before he was found dead, ran: ‘‘l hope prohibition will be carried. Mv will is just the same for you as my love was. I cannot live without you aud the children.” (Signed) Daddy. Directions regarding the funeral were also given, including a request . that a postcard portrait of his wife be put iu the coffin. The verdict was that deceased committed suicide during a period of mental depression. ,