THE SUICIDE ON THE ROTOMAHANA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 95, 24 April 1893, Page 4

THE SUICIDE ON THE ROTOMAHANA.

IDENTITY OF THE DECEASED.

\WHIMSICAL REASON FOR MODE OF DEATH.

Ik our issue of Saturday, it was reported that on the last trip of the Kotomahana from Auckland to Thames one of the paseengers disappeared, and was believed to be drowned. It appears from further information received that when the fireman went on deck on Saturday morning and discovered the pair of shoes, he found in one of them a letter addressed to "Henry Whitford, Post Office, Auckland, New Zealand." This letter, by the date, bad evidently arrived by the San Francisco mail on Friday, from Chicago. It; was written by a brother and sister of the person to whom it was addressed. The fireman at once told Captain Farquhar, and inquiries _ were instituted. A lady passenger said thab during the passsee from Auckland ehe noticed a man wearing a light tweed suit and the cap found by the fireman. He ' looked about 50 years of age and appeared :tobe in very low spirits. She saw him : when tho steamer was off Tararu sitting near the engine room, but did not; notice him afterwards. It is concluded that he jumped overboard just 33 the steamer was nearing the Thames wharf. There can bo no doubt now with regard to the identity of the deceased. This morning a hand-cart man, named William Courtney, who resides in Chapel-otreet, reported to the Water Police that a man named Henry Whitford, who had been residing with him for the past 7 months, was missing. Courtney 'said that he last saw Whitford on Friday in Queen - street, bub on returning borne at 8 o'clock in the evening big companion was not there. He thought little of the matter, and was not at all put about till, on going to the mantelpiece, he found a letter, a copy of which is given below. It was written in pencil, and was in the handwriting of the missing man. Courtney says that his friend was a native of Cornwall, and had .been a miner. He was about 45 years of ace of a slight build, and had brown Whiskers and moustache. He was dressed in n light tweed suit, with a tweed peaked cap, and wore coloured shoes. He had a brother keeping a flax mill at MMMtapni. Courtney also mentioned that he had telegraphed to bis friend's brother in connection with the disappearanceof Wbitford. Itwevidontfrom Courtney's description of Whitford that the latter is one with the passenger who disappeared on board tho Kotomabana. The accompanying letter referred to above, Shows that the deceased was in a despon21, 1893.-ai r s Courtney and William?. 1 am tired Ox iMs kind of life. I have been a burden to Myself long enough and donjwta .besome a burden on no one else. Imnk I Should be better out of the way "if vpu hear of anyone falling oil air boats to-mccht, you may say it ? ff?rrv Yon will find everything about Sva£l« in the bag in Mr Williams'room. vL ri take two BhHliu^ for the wood Shall have been using and one for the room Snbntanco fourteen shillings in the b« to ho divided between my brother Richards X oufc Kif Kth« inquert business. it?»ites.i™th.ira« t y. u»d-b s » Sl,_B«s"« W»«roitp.".