AN "AUTHOR'S" SUICIDE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81867, 17 October 1906, Page 3

AN "AUTHOR'S" SUICIDE.

ERECTS A CROSS ON RANGI-

LEANS ON IT AND CUTS HIS THROAT.

TO ADVERTISE HIS BOOK

Per Pre3s Association. Auckland, October 16

Inspector Cullen received a brief note dated October 14th and signed "Charles Leitch, alias Charles Pollard." stating that the writer's dead body would be found en the summit of Rangitoto. The letter was worded as follows. ''To the Chief of Police, Auckland: On the top of Rangitoto will be found my dead body . Please deal with it as your laws direct. — Charles Leitch, alias Charles Po'lard."

Two constables set out for the island at 7 o'clock this morning, and returned shortly before 3 o'clock, bringing with them the dead body 01 Leitch, which they had found at 'he lop of the cone as indicated. His throat was cut, the jugular vein being severed and in his right hand he held a razor. He was also severely cut about the abdomen Seven yards yards away from where the dead bodywas lying, was a wooden cross sft 6in in height, upon which the following was inscribed, "Even though it be a Cross.'' The cross was smothered in blood, and it is presumed that the deceased cut his throat while leaning on the cross. In one of the deceased's pockets a note addressed to the Coroner was found, explaining that the reason for the deed was to bring into prominence a work he had written dealinu with human personality.