A Tragic Affair

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 238, 13 February 1911, Page 4

A Tragic Affair

SL'CIiDE OF "Mil. PALLISEIi." SENSATIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. The quiescence of Sunday morn was tragically broken ait the White Hart Hotel yesterday, when Wray Palliser Finch, of Elthain, well-known in sporting circles as "Mr. Palliser," the owner of St. Toncy und other racehorses, committed suicide by taking strychnine. The circumstances attending the tragedy are rather sensational.

He arrived in New Plymouth on Saturday afternoon with a lady friend, having come through from Eltham by motor car. No premonition of the terrible deed was vouchsafed to the proprietor (Mr. Emeny), the employees, or fellowboarders. Indeed, it was a matter of special remark that Finch was particularly bright and cheerful while at dinner and throughout the evening. In the morning the chambermaid at the White Hart Hotel attended on Finch, taking him the usual morning cup of tea, between seven and eight o'clock. He was then sitting up in bed writing a letter, and was quite cheerful. He drank the tea, evidently, as the cup was empty when the waitress removed it some time after, and Finch was then still engaged in writing. After nine o'clock an elderly lady in the house heard sounds of groaning proceeding from- Finch's room and informed "Mr. Emeny, and on invesigations being made Finch was found to be suffering horribly. He was even then in the throes of death, and medical aid was summoned.

Within a quarter of an hour Dr. Walker arrived, but the unfortunate man was dead.

A paper labelled "Poison," "strychnine," which luid been procured from a local chemist's shop, was found on the floor. ADMITTING THE DEED. The following letter wjis found near the door: — "New Plymouth, "Feb. 12, 1011. "I hereby certify that 1 have taken a dose of poison in order to kill myself. No one is to blame for this except myself. For goodness sake don't say I took the poison during temporary insanity, because I was never saner in my life than 1 am now. Clean the glass well after. W. P. Finch." 9.15 a.m. "Wire my people, Golder's Hill, Wellington." Finch was for about five years accountant to Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, of Eltham. The body has been removed to the morgue. An inquest will most probably be held on Tuesday, a post mortem examination taking place in the interim. Deceased was twenty-nine years of age.

it is reported deceased left ii sort of will leaving his car and horses to the "woman lie had wronged." Much sympathy is felt for the relatives of deceased under the trying circumstances. His father, Mr. E. J. Finch, who is inspector for the Bank of New South Wales, is in delicate health, and it is feared the shock' may prove disastrous to him. Other relatives reside at Wellington and Palmcrston North.