THIRD ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 336, 18 January 1937, Page 8

THIRD ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS

LAST LETTERS OF MINERS’ OFFICIAL. “ I FEEL I AM NOT WANTED.’’ Having failed on two previous occasions to end his life by taking poison ind hanging, a Welsh miners’ official succeeded bn the third attempt. He was found gassed at the work* Tien’s institute in the town where he riad spent his lifetime. He was lying between two overcoats, and in the room were discovered a window-blind cord suspended from a peg and also a bottle. The victim, Alfred J. Hicks, had for 30 years been secretary of the South Wales Miners’ Federation of Caerau, Glamorgan, and according to the inquest evidence he had been rather peculiar since he had a bicycle accident in 1911. Before the last fatal deed Hicks wrote several letters, and in one to a doctor he revealed that he drank disinfectant, which did not take effect, and tried to hang himself. To his wife, Hicks wrote: — I have been depressed, and I cannot carry on with my work. I have no self-control, and I feel I am not wanted. 1 wish the Lord had called me when I had the accident in 1911. It would have saved this trouble. “1 have become so depressed I cannot stand out any longer and fight the issue now presented,” Hicks stated in another to a fellow-official. It was disclosed that an audit of the accounts kept by Hicks was conducted on the day of the tradegy, and everything was found In order. A verdict of “Suicide while of unsound mind” was recorded.