Alleged Attempted Suicide.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 214, 11 September 1886, Page 2

Alleged Attempted Suicide.

Man Found With HlB Throat Cut In Tho Governor Browne Hotel.

News was sent to the polico by telephone last ovening that a man named Archibald Smith had attempted to commit micido at the Governor Browne Hotel. A constablo was despatched to tho house in question, and found the individual with blood streaming from a ragged wound in his nock, which was not of a dangorous character. It appears that the first discovery of the occurrence was made by a man named John Swift, who states that ho met Smith in the passage between the two portions of tho house, and he said, " Sco what I have been doing," Swift thought there was something the matter with him, as he put his hand to his neck. He therefore turned him to the light, andsaw blood upon his neck. He did not, however, notice any knife in his hand at this time. Smith thon said, " I)have boon trying to cut my throat, but the knifo was too blunt." Swift immediately acquainted Mr Dunningham, the landlord, with what had happened, but when they returned together Smith was gone. An unsuccessful search wa3 made for him about the lower part of the promieee, and thjsy then wont to his room, which was in darkness. Swift called out asking if he was there, and ho answered " Yes." Swift struck a match, and saw Smith sitting on the bedside with his head resting upon his hand. He bad a knife in bis hand, and gave it up without any show of resistance. Constable Martyn thon arrived upon the scene, and found Smith sitting on the bed, evidently in a despondent state of mind. Ho asked the constable if he had a revolver, co that he might bo finished off with it there and then. He was taken into custody, and on the way to tho station said if the d d knifo had been any good, it would have been ail right. Mr Dunningham pays the prisoner has boen drinking for somo days. Ho had been working for Mr Allen, of tho Isorth but was dismissed, and came to the Governor Browne last Saturday week.