Arthur Lionel
Tuke
Male
New Zealand
1876-07-22
New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand
1910-02-14
Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand
From The Pelorus Guardian and Miners’ Advocate (Marlborough, NZ), 15 February 1910:
Suicide in Blenheim – A well-known resident takes his life
A sensation was caused in town at noon today when it became known that Mr Arthur Lionel Tuke, employed by Messrs Clouston and Co., had been found dead in the grain store occupied by Mr J. Bourke on the bank of the Opawa River. The unfortunate man was shot through the head, and had a discharged revolver firmly clasped in his right hand. Lying on some sacks near the body was found a case of cartridges and a box in which the revolver was purchased.
The only reason which can be assigned for the deed, which points to suicide, is that the deceased man had been suffering, on and off, for some time from ill health, and that it had the effect of causing him to make away with himself. When discovered by a carrier, who had gone to procure some goods from the store, deceased was lying full length upon sacks of grain, where he had apparently died.
The police were immediately summoned and the body was removed to the morgue and an inquest will be held. Further details state that the body was found by G.S. Eckford, who accompanied an express driver from McKenzie’s Stables who went to cart a bale of paper from the store. From further information to hand it is believed that the act was premeditated, as deceased said “Goodbye” to a number of his friends last week, saying that he was going away today, but he did not tell them where he was going.
A wound in his chest, the result of an operation performed some time since, which reopened a few days ago, is said to have caused the deceased considerable worry. The late Mr Tuke was last seen last night in the Club Hotel, where he had lived for some time. Together with the landlord, he had supper some time after ten o’clock, and then appeared to be all right. Mr L. Clouston attributes the act to temporary mental aberration caused through ill-health. The deceased had been in the employ of Clouston and Co. for about two years, and was well and favourably known throughout the province.
He was a prominent figure in lawn tennis circles, being the champion player of Marlborough. Some years ago he resided in Taranaki. Before coming to Blenheim he was for a number of years with the North Canterbury Farmers’ Co-operation Association as machinery expert and outside salesman. He came to Blenheim early in 1907 to join the staff of the Marlborough Farmers’ Co-operative Association at the Company’s inception in January, 1908. He left the Association and joined Messrs Clouston and Co., shortly afterwards.
His untimely death will be regretted by many friends.
1900 - 1908
1
14
9
1908 - Marlborough LTA championships (Amateur)
Final
Arthur Lionel Tuke 1 *
L. Griffiths
6-3
6-1
Round 1
Arthur Lionel Tuke 1 *
bye
Quarterfinals
Arthur Lionel Tuke 1 *
John Connol Nicholson
w.o.
Semifinals
Clifford John Dickie 1 *
Arthur Lionel Tuke
6-4
6-1
Round 1
Alexander Gladding Paul Wallace 1 *
Arthur Lionel Tuke
6-3
8-6
Round 1
Arthur Lionel Tuke 1 *
J. Peat jr.
6-0
6-2
Quarterfinals
Arthur Lionel Tuke 1 *
Cecil Francis Adams
6-3
2-6
6-1
Semifinals
Arthur Lionel Tuke 1 *
Alexander Gladding Paul Wallace
7-5
6-1
Final
Clifford John Dickie 1 *
Arthur Lionel Tuke
6-2
7-5
Round 1
Arthur Lionel Tuke 1 *
Alexander Gladding Paul Wallace
6-3
6-4
Semifinals
Arthur Lionel Tuke 1 *
Clifford John Dickie
6-3
3-6
6-3
Final
John Connol Nicholson 1 *
Arthur Lionel Tuke
6-4
0-6
6-3
Round 1
Stanley J. Smith 1 *
Arthur Lionel Tuke
6-3
3-6
6-2
Round 1
Arthur Lionel Tuke 1 *
Stanley Powdrell
9-7
6-2