UNKNOWN MAN’S SUICIDE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3520, 5 August 1926, Page 2

UNKNOWN MAN’S SUICIDE.

NO NAME, NO HOME, NO FRIENDS. The Coroner, Mr. A. J. Graham, presided over an inquest at Palmerston yesterday on the death at Feilding on April 22 of an unknown man whose head bore a wound, and beside whose body a rifle was found. Edward Marston, farm labourer, of Awalmri Road, Feilding, stated in evidence that at about 7 a.m. on April 22, he was on his way to work when he found deceased lying on the ground. There \tas blood coming from the left side of the head, and there was a pea rifle across his knees. Witness dirt not stop but rode straight on to his fqlher. Witness idirt not hear any Report of a firearm while coming along the road.

William Alarston, father of the previous witness, deposed to having examined deceased, who was a five at the time, although unconscious. Deceased was a stranger to (lie district. He was about forty years of age.

The evidence of Constable McCall, of Feilding; was to the effect that when he arrived on the scene deceased was semi-conscious and groaning. Witness found a note in deceased’s waistcoat pocket which stated that he intended committing suicide. Deceased also carried the return part of a railway ticket from Hastings to Palmerston North dated March 15, 1926. There was in addition a comb which bore a name like H. Smallbone scratched on it. Witness subsequently removed deceased to the Palmerston North Hospital.

Joseph L. Fraser, medical superintendent of the Palmerston North Hospital, said that deceased, when admitted, was suffering from shock and haemorrhage of the brain, and died shortly afterwards. It was possible for the wound to have been self-inflicted.

Senior-Sergeant O’Grady said he had had photographs taken of deceased and also linger prints. Witness also had inquiries made throughout New Zealand and Australia, but no clue could be obtained as to his identity. A verdict of suicide was returned the Coroner commenting on the regrettable circumstances which had evidently contributed to the act of deceased, a stranger in a strange country, in taking his life.