HEARLING'S SUICIDE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 304, 23 December 1891, Page 5

HEARLING'S SUICIDE.

THE INQUEST.

The inquest on the body of the late Francis Hearling, wharf tuvricock to the City Council, who committed suicide at the Queen-street Wharf by drowning himself, was held yesterday afternoon. in Gleeson'e Hotel, Customs-street, before Dr. Philson and a jury of six. The first witness called was Francis Johnson, engineor, who deposed to finding the body, as described yesterday, at the Queen-street Wharf. Charlee O'Hara Smith, Inspector of the Audit Department, residing in Parnell, deposed that hehad discovered somedeficieneies indeceased'swateraccouhts.andorderedhim to be brought before himself and the Town Clerk on Monday last to give an explanation of his defalcations. Deceased at first denied the deficiencies, . but afterwards acknowledged that he had appropriated the money to his own use. There were 18 or 19 cases ot deficiency. On witness' demand the Town Clerk suspended the deceased, and ordered him to appear at the Council Office on Tuesday morning (yesterday) and bring with him the Savings Bank moneys, which he said ho had—some £100 or £150. Witness meb Detective Chrystal and asked that; the i police should keep their eye on jthe deceased. The keys of the water office were handed ovex" to Mr Higgins, deceased's assistant. He could not say whafa was the exact amount of the deficiencies., Witness told deceased that he would have to go to gaol if the money were nofc paid, and that the payment of the money would in no way compromise the offence. Deceased's accounts were every week by the Rate Collector. Evidence was also given by Thomas H. Higgine (assistant turncock), who saw deceased last on Monday evening, when he seemed gloomy and depressed. Constable Windus and -Euphemia Hearling also made statements. The jury returned a verdicb of "Found drowned," adding that thore was no evidence to show whether deceased was bo/utid by his mvn b#»yjfl, ot whotUof3«DVona,elae htri tied *■"