DEATH OF AN OLD COLONIST.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9527, 26 June 1909, Page 5

DEATH OF AN OLD COLONIST.

LANSDOWNE RESIDENT SHOOTS

HIMSELF,

VERDICT OF SCJICIDE,

The news that Mr Brown Hunt, an old and highly respected settler, of Masterton, had been found dead at his residence at Lansdowne, the circumstances of which went to show chat he had taken is life, was received in Masterton yesterday morning. The late Mr Hunt, who was 76 years of age, was a retired farmer, and a widower, and resided alone in a house next to that of Mr M. McGrath. His grandson, who usually left a quantity of milk at the house every mornin?, noticed on calling yesterday morning that the milk he had left the previous day had not been removed. This discovery led him to open the door to make investigations, with the result that he found Mr Hunt lying on his back in the passage. He immediately communicated with the deceased's son-in-law, Mr J. J. Barnes, who sent for Dr Archer HoskingJ On an examination being marie a revolver, loaded in four chambers, was found in deceased's right hand. There was a bullet wound in the head, and there were indications that the unfortunate man had been dead several hours. Deceased was last seen walking on the verandah on Wednesday last by a neighbour.

An inquest was held before M r W. P. James, S.M., yesterday afternoon. From the evidence it appears that the deceased had been worrying considerably over some property transactions, with which he had been lately connected, and this had apparently preyed on his mind. A verdict of suicide while temporarily insane was returned.