SWINDLED OF SAVINGS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1067, 3 September 1930, Page 9

SWINDLED OF SAVINGS

DELUDED BY GOLD-LURE MAN TAKES LIFE WAS FROM NEW ZEALAND SYDNEY, Tuesday. An inquest was held at Sydney today concerning the death of Henry Ballantyne, formerly of Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, who was found dead with his throat cut in a city flat on August 22. Detective Smith* stated iu evidence that he had received a letter from Ballantyne saying he had taken the loss of his life’s savings to heart, and the only thing to do was to end his life. He had no friends in Australia and had not even a change of clothing with him. The letter added: “Punish the waster who induced me to come from New Zealand to Bendigo with him by saying he could dig two ounces of gold a day.” In conclusion the letter suggested that if any of the writer’s money were recovered it should be given to charity. Detective Smith said a man had been arrested and charged with the theft of deceased’s money. The coroner returned a verdict of suicide while temporarily mentally deranged. Before the arrival of the Maunganui at Sydney from Wellington on August 19, Ballantyne had reported the loss of £BOO on the voyage. He told the detectives that the money represented his life’s savings. The police thought Ballantyne was drugged before he joined the Maunganui, as his fellowpassengers said he was in a condition of stupor for three days after he embarked. Three days later the body of Ballantyne was found in the bathroom of a Sydney residential flat, with the throat cut. The body was in a crouching position, leaning dver the bath, and a razor lay close by.