Sydney Charles Rees, (1868-30/4/1912). "going to the store"

A DEALER SHOOTS HIMSELF

MENTAL DEPRESSION. 

Sydney Charles Rees, a dealer who lived in Clark street, North-east Valley, shot himself through the heart at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. His daughter states that her father, who has been acting strangely of late, left the house yesterday, saying that he was going to the store (which abuts the rear), and would be back shortly. He had not been long gone when she heard a shot, and on running to the store found the door locked. She was naturally alarmed, and called in Mr Holmes, a neighbor. This gentleman found the unfortunate man lying against the door, dead, and Dr Fulton, who arrived some minutes later, found that he had shot himself through the heart. 

At the inquest, held before Mr Graham this morning, it was ascertained that the man had been attended by Dr Newlands, who had found him in a depressed state of mind. He had never, however, shown suicidal tendencies.

A verdict of suicide by gunshot during a state of temporary insanity was returned. Rees was 44 years of age and leaves a widow, two daughters, and a son.  -Evening Star, 1/5/1912.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.