ACCOUNTANT’S SUICIDE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3572, 7 December 1926, Page 2

ACCOUNTANT’S SUICIDE.

SEQUEL TO AUDITOR’S VISIT. Christchurch, December 6. “lie was sirprised to see me and after showing me where the books were, lie left the office. When next I saw him he was dead. In the meantime I had found a shortage of £450 in the firm’s cash, of which he had) been in charge.” These were the words of Mr W. E. Best, auditor, who gave evidence at the adjourned inquest on Jdmes Adair Hall, accountant for the Ila warden branch of the Farmers’ Co-operative Association, who was found dead last Wednesday. Mr Best said lie visited Harwarden to audit the books without giving notice of his intention. Witness asked Hall for two receipt blocks, and he walked to his overcoat and took something from a pocket and left the office. AVitness thought he had gone to get the blocks. AVhen witness found the shortage he made inquiries for Hall, but was informed that he was not on the premises. Subsequently ho was found in a stable quite dead. The face was painfully distorted. Mr Feek, manager of the drapery department, told witness that he had seen deceased in the chaff house and told him that witness waited for him. Hall replied that he would go to the office in ten minutes’ time. “Mr Feek came back,” said witness, “but did not inform me that he had seen HaH. I cannot understand that action on his part. The first intimation I had that, anything untoward had happened was when I saw the body. They told me nothing but just led me to him,. Mi- Feck acted as though he , enjoyed the whole tragedy, which had shocked me intensely.” The coroner, Mr Lawry, returned a verdict of suicide by poisoning.