TYLER v. TYLER AND COLLINS.
George Henry Tyler married Marion Priscilla Tyler in October, 1916. After three little Tylers had happened along to brighten up the home, George Henry went off to the war with the 22nd Reinforcements. In consequence of certain "carryings-on" between his euphoniously-named wifie and one Timothy "George" Collins. Henry George got Lawyer Calvert to bring along the present proceedings for divorce, giving Timothy "George" the honor of being named as co-respondent.
In the course of a recital of his woes, the petitioner said that, after living at Christchurch, Auckland and other places, he and Marion Priscilla eventually went to live in Jackson-street, Dunedin. When he went away he made the usual provision by way of allotments and separation allowances, the total amount that poured into wifie's domestic exchequer being £3 6s a week. While he was away he received an official communication to the effect that the allotment had been transferred to the Patriotic people, as they were looking after his children. He got back last January and went down to Harbour-terrace, where his wife was living, to get the children. She said: "I suppose you have heard how things are? What are you going to do?" He replied.
"GOING FOR A DIVORCE; I am entitled to one."
Elizabeth McMillan said that in May of last year she was employed as housemaid at the Club Hotel, Gore. Collins and Marion Priscilla, both of whom she recognised by the photos produced in court, came and took a bedroom for a week, staying there from Monday to Friday as Mr. and Mrs. Collins. On the Friday night Collins was arrested as a military deserter. Marion Priscilla was much upset at this, and, later on, confessed to witness that she was not married to Collins. She further stated that her husband had been killed at the war and that he used to ill-treat her before he went away.
Decree nisi; petitioner to have interim custody of the two boys, and respondent interim custody of the girl. -NZ Truth, 31/5/1919.
ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS.
("Per Press Association.")
TAIHAPE, October 11. Thomas Michael Downey, aged seven, fell from a motor-lorry driven by his father this morning. The wheel passed over his head, killing him instantly.
DUNEDIN, This Day. George Henry Tyler, aged 43, was found dead this morning under conditions which suggested suicide. A double-barrelled gun, which had been recently discharged, was found beside the body and half the head was blown away. -Ashburton Guardian, 12/10/1920.
INQUEST
An inquest was held yesterday afternoon, before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M. (Coroner), concerning the death of George Henry Tyler, who was found dead in Stuart street in the morning.
Evidence was given by Francis Gordon. He stated that he was an intimate friend of deceased, and had known him for about sis years. Deceased was the proprietor of Sweeting's supper rooms, in Stuart street. He had seen him every day for the past fortnight. On Monday he asked for the loan of his shotgun to go shooting, and he then appeared to be in good health and spirits. He had been worried, and had been drinking heavily for some months. He had never hinted at suicide.
Dr Evans said he was summoned to the shop at about 9 o'clock in the morning. He found deceased in the pantry. The left side of his head had been blown away, and his left eye was missing. There had been a fair amount of bleeding. On the floor was a double-barrelled shotgun pointing towards deceased, one barrel of which had been discharged. A discoloration of the left check showed that it had been fired at close range. The cause of death was shock following a compound fracture of the skull and laceration of the brain substance. Death had probably been instantaneous.
Ada Blee, an employee of the deceased, said he lived on the premises alone. She went to work at about 7 o'clock yesterday morning, and opened the shop. Deceased was upstairs when she opened the shop, and was in the best of spirits. She was sent out at about 8 o'clock and returned to the shop about 10 minutes later. There was a strange quietness about the place on her return. She went into the pantry, and found deceased's body there. He had been depressed and worried, but had not been drinking. Once, about a week ago. he had threatened to commit suicide.
Constables Hamilton and Harvey also gave evidence.
A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence: — "That deceased died from injuries caused by gunshot self-inflicted while in a despondent state of mind." -Evening Star, 13/10/1920.
MILITARY FUNERAL.
Friends of the late George Henry Tyler (and family) are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral, which will leave our premises, 36 St. Andrew street, on TUSDAY, the 14th inst., at 2 p.m., for the Anderson's Bay Cemetery.
HOPE AND KINASTON, Undertakers, 36 St. Andrew street. -Evening Star, 13/10/1920.
SUICIDE DUE TO DEPRESSION.
DEATH OF MR G. H. TYLER,
A determined case of suicide occurred at Sweeting's fish-shop, Stuart street, yesterday morning, when the proprietor, George Henry Tyler, a middle-aged man and a returned soldier, blew the left side of his skull off. Tyler divorced his wife some two years ago, and this had preyed upon his mind, while the worry of finding money to keep up the payments for three children who are in the custody of the Government added to his depression.
Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., district coroner, an inquest at the City Morgue yesterday afternoon on the body. Sergeant Murray conducted the proceedings for the police.
Francis Gordon, blacksmith, living at St. Clair, stated that he had been on intimate terms with deceased for six years. Tyler was proprietor of Sweeting's fish-shop, Stuart street, and lived on the premises. He asked witness on Monday for the loan of a shot gun to go to Waitati, and witness lent him a double-barrelled breech-loading gun. Tyler had been in bad health for some time, but seemed all right on Monday morning, when he asked for the loan of the gun. Deceased divorced his wife about eighteen months ago, and never seemed to got over the proceedings. He was always worrying about his wife and children, and had been drinking heavily for some months. He had never hinted at suicide to witness, nor was his depression so marked as to make witness suspect that he contemplated it.
Dr Evans, who was called in by the police, deposed that he found the body of deceased in the pantry at Sweeting's fishshop, sitting on a chair, with his head reclining, over the table. The body was quite warm. The left side of the skull had been blown away, and a considerable portion of the brain matter was missing. Death was due to a gun-shot wound, and must have been instantaneous.
Ada Blee, a young woman in the employ of deceased, stated that she went to the shop as usual at about 7 o'clock that morning, and called deceased. He came downstairs and had a wash and breakfast. He then sent witness away on a message, and she was away about 10 minutes. On her return she noticed that the place was very quiet. On going into the pantry she saw deceased lying as described, and sent for the police. Mr Tyler had been depressed, but had not been drinking at all for some days, as he was in bed, suffering, she thought, from a relapse of influenza. She was sure he had not been out of bed for drink for at least a week. About a week ago deceased threatened to "nick his throat" with a razor. She did not know if he was in earnest, but as a precaution she took possession of the razor. He did not threaten to shoot himself, but said he was going out shooting on Saturday next, and asked witness to be one of the party.
Constable W. J. Harvey said he had known deceased well for about two years. After the divorce proceedings he had some difficulties in money matters, and, failing to keep up the payments for his children, who were in the custody of the Government, and had been summoned. For the last three months he had not been in his proper senses through drink — always to some extent stupid or muddled. He did not seem to be depressed, but just muddled. One day last week — witness believed it was Friday— he saw deceased, wearing a heavy overcoat, though it was a lovely day, coming out of the Law Courts Hotel with a man. He looked very ill.
Constable John Hamilton gave evidence as to going round to Sweeting's shop in consequence of a message received, and finding deceased as already described. Witness believed that deceased rested the gun on the table, pointed the muzzle towards his head, and pressed the trigger with his left hand.
The Coroner recorded a verdict, that deceased committed suicide by shooting himself whilst in a despondent state through drink and worry. -Otago Daily Times, 13/10/1920.
The Defence Department provided a gun carriage for the funeral of the late George Henry Tyler, ex-N.Z.E.F., yesterday, and was represented by Lieutenant Healey, but it was not possible to obtain the services of a bugler or firing party. This mark of respect was paid to him in recognition of his military services. -Otago Daily Times, 15/10/1920.
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