“A coroner's inquiry into the circumstances of the death of the soldier, Private William Whelan (39), found hanging from a tree in the Domain on Monday evening was held by Mr. E. C. Catten, S.M., this morning. The evidence showed that Whelan had died by his own hand while in a state of unsound mind, and a verdict was returned accordingly. Dr. Alexander Kinder stated that he had been called to the Domain, near Parnell tunnel, on Monday evening. He found Whelan lying on the ground. There were no signs of life, but in order to take all precautions witness tried artificial respiration. His effort bad been without result. Death was due to suffocation caused by hanging. Dr. Kinder remarked upon the statement of the men who found the body in the first place, that they could feel the pulse beating. This was most likely an error on their part. They would be deceived by feeling the beat of their own pulse when pressure was applied to the body. Arthur Rose, brother-in-law of deceased, said that Whelan had arrived in Auckland on Sunday evening from the concentration camp at Rangiotu. He had stayed all night with witness. At about 7.30 a.m. on Monday, just before witness left for work, Whelan called him into the dining room. Whelan was strange in his manner. He said that he was thinking of giving himself up to the police. Witness asked what he had been up to, to get into trouble. Whelan said that all the boys in camp had been saying that he had used insulting language about his officers, and that when he got to the front he would be court - martialled. Witness had replied that the boys were just having a bit of fun, and that it was not worth while troubling about them. He told Whelan that he would talk the matter over with him in the evening.
Whelan had been through the South African war, and since his return he had been a heavy drinker. Eighteen months ago he had attempted to commit suicide at Whangarei by taking poison, and a little later be had been sent to Rotoroa Island for nine months. He had been strange in his manner since his return from service in the African campaign.
Robert Shand, Domain ranger, said that he had discovered Whelan on Monday evening hanging from a tree in the Domain. Witness had no knife, and so called his mate, Robert Baird. Baird had a knife, and together they cut down the body. The body was still warm. Witness tried artificial respiration, while Baird went for the police. The police and Dr. Kinder arrived very soon, and they also made attempts to produce respiration. After a few minutes Dr. Kinder said that Whelan was dead.
Cohstable McGee, of the Parnell police, detailed the circumstances under which he had found deceased after being summoned by Baird. The rope used (produced) was light three-ply manila fixed with a running noose. The Coroner returned a verdict in accord with the medical evidence, adding that deceased was in a state of unsound mind.”
[Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 304, 22 December 1915, Page 9]
