ALLEGED ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 155, 4 July 1898, Page 2

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

A WORKING MAN ARRESTED.

Aboiit half-past nine yesterday morning' Constable A.McDonnell while on duty in Queen-street was informed that a man named Austin, a gum sorter, had attempted to commit suicide in Mannion-street. He went to the man's house and found him in bed, apparently suffering' considerable pain. Constable Mathews was already at the house. Austin told them he had taken sirits of salts. Ruby Austin^ a daughter, handed some of the spirits Of salts to Constable McDonnell. The police sent for Dr. Coates, and in the meantime gave Austin an emetic which caused some vomiting1.

Acting on Dr. Coates' instructions, Constable McDonnell took Austin to the Hospital, where Drs. Neill and Baldwin analysed the powder. They pronounced it to be sal ammonia-* and said that it would take a lot of it to hurt a man. Dr. Baldwin stated that Austin was out of danger. The doctor would not take the responsibility of his care at the Hospital. Constable McDonnell accordingly took Austin to the High-street lock-up and charged him with, attempting to commit suicide. ',-...'■

Georgje Henry Austin, who is , a young man, appeared to answer to the eharg-e at the Police Court this morningl. V . ' .Sergeant Kelly asked for a remand until Thursday next

Mr Cotter, who appeared for the defence, offered no objection, but asked th:ft bail might be allowed. Mr Brabant: I don't see how bail can be allowed in a case of this ETnd, unless the man is sereU to a.n asylum or some place where he can. be kept in custody. Mr Cotter said the evidence would show that the accused had not poisoned himself'at all. He understood the medical evidence would show there was not the slightest danger in the matter, and that the man bnly wanted to be kept quiet for a couple of days. Eventually Mr Brabant said that if the police would take the responsibility of not objecting he would grant bail. Sergeant Kelly agreeing to this, His Worship fixed the bail in two sureties of £100 each.

Mr Cotter remarked that the bail was prohibitive, whereupon His Worship said it wo\ild be better in that case to go on with the charge, and it was decided to take the case this afternoon.