Tragedy Near Morrinsville

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4392, 30 March 1909, Page 2

Tragedy Near Morrinsville

MAN SHOOTS HIMSELF

(Own Correspondent.)

A sad tragedy occuraed at theTeMimi Estate sometime between Wednesday night and Friday afternoon, when it was found a man, who went by the name of Charlie Willis, had shot himself in a Maoris’ hut, about ha f-a-mile from the one he himself occupied, it appears the native who occupicl the whare was away getting up his potatoes, and his brother who occupies a whare some distance away had occrsion on Friday afternoon to send a child to the whare to get something. The child at once came back to say that a man was dead there. Constable Lowry was at once telephoned for and on arrival found the man had shot himself through the neck at the whare door and fell inside. Hei? l ?* bably been dea 1 more than a day. The body was removed to Morrinsville and an inquest was held on Saturday morning before Mr Forrest (Coroner). After hearing the evidence of Dr Seville and the natives, a verdict ot suicide while in a state of mental depression, was returned. The body was interred in the local cemetery on Saturday afternoon, Dr Seville officiating at the grave side, Ihe deceased was little known here, having amvc 1 from Palmerston North district t° Tauhe l some months ago, and it is understood had no relations living. Quite recently he secured a road contract from the County Council on the Tauhei Road, but threw it up and was since cutting ti-tree for Mr Orr.