FATAL OCCURRENCES.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1624, 29 April 1875, Page 2

FATAL OCCURRENCES.

A fearful tragedy occurred early this morning, in which a young man, named Grattan McCabe, well-known in the place, was the victim of—there is no reason to doubt —suicidal-mania. A little before ten o'clock a foot-passenger, named Graham, on the wharf saw a man jump or fall from the cliff, near the bottom of Bobsonstreet. He called on Sergeant Martir, and told him what he had seen. That officer repaired to the spot indicated, and, at the foot of the cliff on the beach found the mutilated body of Mr McCabe. He was alive and apparently sensible, but could answer no questions Constable Tierney procured an express, and the sufferer was driven at once to the Hospital, and his injuries at once examined by Mr Fredk. Morton : the house-surgeon. A fracture of the neck of the left thigh was discovered, as well as a compound fracture of the right elbow-join. The sufferer was also believed, from appearances, to have sustained severe internal injuries. He lingered till 11 o'clock, having only survived his admission little more than a quarter of an hour. Mr McCabe was formerly a reporter on the New Zealander, Wellington Advertiser, and Thames Advertiser newspapers. He afterwards joined the stage, and played in the Southern Provinces for some time. About six years ago he came here with John Bennett's Company and Mrs Robert Heir, and appeared on the Auckland boards, where he was well received. He subsequently retired from the stage, and took the billet of Receiver of Goldfields Revenue at Coromandel, where he was married. After this he appears to have given way to intemperate habits, which, together with a predisposition in that direction, developed insanity. He was received into the Asylum in September last. He recovered, and was liberated, but was recommitted within a ahort time. A few weeks ago he was again sufficiently well to be let loose. Mrs McCabe 1 went to San Francisco by the Cyphrenes, Mr McCabe intending to follow her as soon as he could procure the funds. Both have friends well to do in that city. Mr. McCabe has been staying during the last few weeks at the Governor Browne Hotel. For some days lately he has evinced signs of his old mania. * We hear that last night he procured a revolver and spoke about shooting one of the hoarders. He was intoxicated at the time, and Mr. Duni ningham got him to bed quietly. At two o'clock this mornirig he w&s heard to shout out that it was he who had struck the matches. The remark was supposed to be in allusion to an attempt to set the rjlace on fire. He got up and walked about, but was put to bed again, and went to sleep. About half-past eight this morning he was seen going clown Hobson-street in the direction of the sea. This was only half-an-hour or so before he was discovered groaning and bleeding at the base of the cliff. The deceased has lately called several times at the office of the Evening Star. A woman, who name has not been ascertained, is said to have seen McCabe on the cliff, waving his hat just beiore he was seen to fall.