EMPLOYER OF THORN.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 592, 14 December 1920, Page 2

EMPLOYER OF THORN.

COMMITS SUICIDE.

FINANCIAL WORRIES

CRANIUM BLOWN OFF. Late on Saturday night the police received information that a man, named James Granville, farmer, at Glenmurray, had committed suicide bv shooting himself. At about 11.30 p'm. Constables Wolfendale and Miller and Dr. C. H. Wake proceeded to the scene of the tragedy,, and after leaving Pukekawa very bad roads were encountered, and at various times the party had to push their motor-car out of mud-holes. Upon arrival at the Glenmurray landing it was found the Opuatea Creek was in flood, and a native named Tumatai canoed the party individually across the creek. Mr. GaskelFs motor-car was then commissioned, the party eventually arriving at Granville's about 5.30 on Sunday morning, after a very trying experience. Here they found Granville in bed lying on his back with the top of his head blown off, and a double-barrelled shotgun lying between his legs. Examination revealed the fact that deceased had prepared to retire for the night, being undressed. The right chamber of the gun had been loaded, but discharged, while a looped piece of black cotton material was found to be tied to the trigger of the gun and to deceased's right foot. It is surmised that after he had made these arrangements he placed the muzzle of the weapon in his mouth and pulled the trigger with his foot. Deceased was a married man with a family, and his wife and children are supposed to be residing somewhere in the Nelson district. Granville had been drinking heavily of late, and it is alleged that his rash act was accentuated through heavy financial obligations. He occupied a farm of 1005 acres of very rough country at Glenmurray, and prior to taking over this holding was sheep farming at Toi Flat, 17 miles from Dannevirke, on the DannevjrkeWeber Road.

A coronial inquqiry was opened at Glenmurray yesterday by the district coroner,"Mr. R. F. Webster, and adjourned to Pukekohe. Deceased gave evidence on behalf of the Crown against Samuel John Thorn in the Pukekawa murder case, and was the owner of the horse, "Mickey," which it was alleged the murderer rode from Granville's to Eyre's place on the night of the murder. Thorn was employed by deceased when the late Mr. Sidney Seymour Eyre was murdered on August 24.