MAN FOUND DEAD.
VERDICT OF SUICIDE.
A verdict that death was due to suicide by gas poisoning, while in a very depressed state of mind, was returned by the Coroner, Mr E. D. Mosley, at the inquest yesterday afternoon into the death of John Thomas Nixon, a carpenter aged 47, who was found dead in an empty house at 49 Norwich street, Linwood, on Thursday evening.
Evidence of identification was given by Augustus Samuel Nixon, of 558 Cashel street. Witness had last seen Nixon on October 3rd. His health had always been good. He was worried about financial troubles and domestic affairs, but he had been worried about them for some time. He had never mentioned suicide to witness.
Isabel Fowke, the wife of Alfred Gordon Fowke, of 99 Waltham road, said that Nixon had been living at her home. She saw him last on October 5th. On that day he had said that he would not be home for tea. Occasionally he was moody, but he had never given any indication that he was going to commit suicide.
John Keith Moloney, solicitor, said that Nixon had been a client of his, and he had seen him regularly during the past four or five months. On Monday last an order had been made in the Magistrate's Court for separation and maintenance against Nixon in favour of his wife. Witness thought that all the time Nixon had been hoping for a reconciliation. Nixon had seemed very discouraged, when, on Monday, he was discussing his financial position.
Constable John Clements said he had gone to 49 Norwich street at 6.15 p.m. on Thursday. The door was locked so he broke it open and entered the house. Nixon was lying on the floor of the scullery dead. Witness found a note, indicating an intention to commit suicide, in Nixon's clothes.
Sergeant F. C. Harrison represented the police. Mr J. D. Hutchison appeared for Nixon's widow.
Source: The Press (Christchurch), 10 October 1931, Page 5.