YOUNG MAN’S DEATH

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21197, 21 August 1940, Page 10

YOUNG MAN’S DEATH

LEFT LETTER FOR FRIEND

GRIEF AT LOSS <sl FIANCEE (By Telegraph. —Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Tuesday An inquest was opened today be- i fore the coroner, Mr F. K. Hunt, into i the death of Alban Arthur Custance, ! labourer, aged 28, whose body was j found on Mount Hobson with a i bullet wound in the head,. Victor Rainsford Midgley said he shared a flat with deceased in Grafton. Deceased was alone when witness left the flat at 7.10 on Monday evening and, although he was in good health, he had been very depressed since the death of his fiancee, Miss Fay Alexander, on July 26. “He was no more depressed than usual since her death when I left the fiat,” witness continued. “He never stated his intention of committing suicide, and I had no reason to believe that that was his intention. As far as I know he did not possess a firearm. Intention of Suicide “When I returned home at about 3 0.45 p.m. I found a letter from the deceased, signifying his intention of committing suicide, and advising that his body would be found on top of Mount Hobson,” witness added. “Deceased was a Canadian, and a graduate of St. John’s College, Winnipeg. I believe his only living relative was a sister, living in Canada.” In part, the letter produced read:— “It is a long and painful story, but it will serve as a tribute to Fay. She turned to me in the hope that I would marry her, but in my pride and ignorance it seemed to me that we had first to settle other problems. It seemed to her, as I scolded, and urged her on to independence, that I did not care deeply for her, but in her pride she never complained. Instead, she waited and despaired. “For my part it was a race against time—we lost. She meant more to me than I dared admit, even to her. It has not been easy for me to write this, but I would like the few friends Fay had to know just how fine she was in this. It took courage, a courage which few would credit her with.” The inquest was adjourned until Friday. _____________