FOUND DEAD
MANUTUKE FARMER'S END.
INQUEST OPENED.
When Mr. Peter Wilson Muir, a well-known Manutuke farmer, failed to return to the house for breakfast yesterday morning, a search was made for him and he was discovered by two of his daughters lying face downward in a stream containing about 8ins. of water. Assistance was quickly summoned and two neighbours maintained artificial respiration until the arrival of a doctor who found life extinct.
Mr. Muir, whose home is situated on the Waingake road, was a married man, 43 years of age, with one son and three daughters, to all of whom and to the widow the deepest sympathy of a wide circle of friends will be extended. The funeral will leave the late residence at 2 p.m. to-day for Makaraka cemetery.
The inquest was opened at the residence by the Coroner, Mr. P. H. Harper, S.M., yesterday.
Jessie Grey Muir, widow of deceased, gave evidence that she last saw him alive about 7 a.m. yesterday. He was then in a paddock near the house attending to some horses. When he did not come in for breakfast, she went out to look for him, but failed, to find him. Two of her daughters, then went over to Mr. Morris's, a neighbour, to see if he was there. On their way back, they came upon Mr. Muir lying in a creek on the property. They immediately informed witness, who telephoned Mr. Atkins, and the body was subsequently removed from the creek. Her husband had always enjoyed good health, but he was of a nervous and excitable disposition, easily upset when things went wrong. He had no financial worries, but had been worrying over domestic troubles, having little sleep during the past week. He went to bed about 11 o'clock on Sunday night, but did not sleep and arose at 6.30 a.m. yesterday. He did not then mention anything about his worries, nor give any indication that he would take his life. Yesterday morning he appeared quite all right and attended to his duties as usual.
Alexander Atkins, farmer, of Manutuke, who was called in by Mrs. Muir, stated that he found the body lying face downwards in about 8in. of water. To reach the creek, Mr. Muir would have had to climb a wire fence running parallel with it. There was no sign of any struggle. On recovering the body, artificial respiration was attempted by witness and John Kane, this being continued until Dr. Bowie arrived, and found life extinct. Witness also corroborated several points in the evidence of the previous witness.
Corroborative evidence was given by John Kane, farmer, of Manutuke.
Kathleen Muir, a daughter, who will be 18 this month, gave evidence on the lines of that given by her mother.
The inquest was then adjourned pending receipt of medical evidence, the Coroner expressing sympathy with the widow and family in their tragic bereavement.
Source: Gisborne Times, 11 February 1930, Page 5.
VERDICT OF SUICIDE
MANUTUKE FARMER'S END.
CORONER'S FINDING.
A verdict of suicide was returned by the Coroner, Mr. P. H. Harper S.M., when the inquest of Mr. Peter Wilson Muir, a Manutuke farmer, who was found lying face downwards in nine inches of water on Monday morning, was concluded yesterday. Sergeant Mclntyre represented the police.
"It is impossible to give any other verdict," said the Coroner in announcing his finding as follows: "That Peter Wilson Muir drowned himself at Manutuke on February 10 while in a state of acute mental depression."
Source: Gisborne Times, 14 February 1930, Page 5.
Chris Korte's New Zealand Genealogy Project
1885 - 1930 (44 years)
Has no ancestors and no descendants in this family tree.
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