"WORLD OF LOVE AND HOPE."

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1919, Page 6

"WORLD OF LOVE AND HOPE."

SUICIDE OF A RETURNED SOLDfER Telegraph.—Proas Association. Oamaru, Last Night. The receipt of letters by.several local residents yesterday afternoon, written by A. G. Clarke, secretary of the Oaraatu Repatriation Committee, caused a painful sensation, for the purpose of the letters was to advise the recipients that Clarke had put all iiis affairs in order as he was ''about to depart from this wonderful world of love and hope" owing to his great trouble. ° The police were communicated with, aud a wide search was instituted, with the result that Clarke's hat and walking stick were found on the steps close to the water's edge at the end of the whan, just at the entrance/to the harbor. Clarke, who was working in his office until two' O'clock on, Saturday morning, arranged his business and private affairs in a most methodical fashion, and left complete instructions as to the disposal of his possessions, and also made his reports to date to the chairman of the Repatriation Committee. Clarke, who was last seen on Saturday afternoon at two*o'clock, informed tlurecipients of the letters that family reasons alone prompted him to end his life. Although a thorough search is being carried out, no traces of Clarke or his body can be found. Clarke enlisted in Auckland in the Main Body, but, as he was a competent bank official, he was kept j back, with the rank of sergt.-major, to do clerical duty. Clarke eventually sacrificed his stripes to go away with the Third Reinforcements. He took part in the Gallipoli campaign, and was badly wounded, his leg tyjitig severely shattered. He spent long months in hospital iu England and New Zealand, and suffered muc.i from his leg, and only a few mouths ago [ he had to undergo hospital treatment.