WRITTEN ON A SLATE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 62, 13 March 1915, Page 8

WRITTEN ON A SLATE.

PRISONER'S LAST MESSAGE.

BEFORE SUICU>E IN GAOL.

ANOTHER PRISONER'S ALLEGATIONS.

The means adopted by a prisoner named George Harris for ending his life at-the Mount Eden Gaol on Thursday night were investigated at the gaol this morning, before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., acting as Coroner. Sergeant Bowman represented the police, and presented official papers

which showed that deceased was a native of Australia, 33 years of age, and was serving a sentence of two years' reformative treatment for attempted theft from the person at Whangarei in January, 1914. THROAT SEVERELY CUT. Dr. Sydney A. Stride, gaol surgeon, said he was called to the prison at about 8 p.m. on the 11th inst. On arrival at 8.15 he found the prisoner Harris lying dead in his cell. He was on his back, in a pool of blood, with his throat severely cut. The body was across the cell, head towards the door, feet under hammock, and bands clenched and. drawn up on the chest. Death had evidently occurred only a few minutes before. The prisoner's tin knife was lying on the left side of the bcdy. It hai evidently been sharpened on the (lootni the cell. The severe injuries on the man's throat were no doubt inflicted by the knife produced. Witness had seen, the prisoner at least once a week since January 21st, on which date newas suffering from debility. ' On the 28th he was somewhat melancholic, and was placed under observation. His condition subsequently improved, so much so that on March 4th he told witness that he was quite well. There was absolutely no reason to expect such an act. The statement on the slate produced indicated, that deceased's mental condition was not strong, but there were no outwaTd symptoms since January 28th. He had been worrying because he feared that after being released he would have to serve a further sentence for something he.had done in Australia. WRITING ON THE SLATE. The'message, left by the deceased on an ordinary prisoner's slate was somewhat illegible, and consisted mainly of references to his past life. "The little woman I am married to (Grace Williams},"'he wrote, "is good, and I think I have brought trouble on her. It is her-1 have been worrying about, and my old mother, who is the dearest woman in the world. She nursed mc once for weeks, while I was dying, and never left mv bedside." In another part'of the statement appeared the following: "I thank' Mr Ironside, Mr Knight, and the doctor for "their kindness. ' I am trying to go right, but my head is too weak." FEARED ANOTHER SENTENCE.

Alexander, W. Ironside, head gaoler,, identified the body, - and said' that on one occasion deceased told witness thei his accomplices in a crime in Australia had .been .sentenced to. three years' imprisbn!=Got. He seemed to fear that after."release here he would . be. re-ar-rested' on warrant from Australia. fie : had'-n6\ relations in' New Zealand. His wife, lived in Melbourne, and hie ia the- habit of writing to her. ' -. EVIDENCE OF WABJDERS.Warder McDonald stated in evidence thai- he ; locked the deceased in his cell at p.m. on the 11th inst. He appeared to.be quite in his usual state of health, and had never given the .slightest .indication that.he was likely to commit suicide. His demeanour was generally good. •

Warder Cates said that on going the usual rounds at "lights but" and looking into, deceased's cell at .about 8.5 p.m., witness found him lying on his back on the floor ■of his cell. - Witness realised that something was the matter, so he immediately drew the attention of Act-ing-Principal Warder Cooke. Witness -had -.. never . suspected .. that deceased would do'violence to himself.: he was always so mild. On. several occasions he apologised to witness' for imaginary things be' had done. . He .was' weakminded rather than insane. Witness knew .of. no friction which the deceased had Tiad with the other prisoners or the gaol attendants. '

THE ACTING-PRIXCTPAL WARDER. ■- William Robert Gooke, acting-prin-cipal warder, said that-on going to the cell he observed, a pool of blood on the floor: Deceased .-was .lying- on his back and was breathing faintly. He expired before the doctor arrived. Witness had had the deceased in his gang for over two' pionths. He. was a- good, prisoner as far as work and conduct were concerned. He gave no. indication that he was:likely to take his life. In fact, after interviews with the Rev. Mr. Budd he; appeared to have made up his mind to lead a better life.. Witness had had twenty years' experience, and he had regarded deceased as being a, normal kind ofccriminal, who would make efforts to i reform, but would never succeed. . ' A PRISONER'S ALLEGATIONS. ■ Victor.Todd, a prisoner who occupied the adjoining cell, .said that about one minute before the first bell (7.45 pjn) on the 11th instant., he-was reading and distinctly heard a heavy, fall like that of,.a body. He thought it was either above or below his cell, but did not think, it was ■ next door. There was a sound like that of snoring, but witness thought- it was someone using* a handkerchief, it did not occur to witness that it was anything of a startling nature:. : "l might as well mention," said the prisoner, "that for the past two months Harris has been, iti and wanting medicine. Of course, he got no satisfaction according to what I heard." .The Coroner: Never, mind telling us about prison rumours. ' Just tell us what: you know of your own knowledge. Witness: Well, I can prove this by/ knowing the prisoner. About two weeks ago, when Mr. Carson (a warder) was night duty, Harris knocked at his cell door about 6.30 aad put out his flag signal to show that he wanted someone! When Mr. Carson-came along, Harris said,'"l want a doctor. lam very ill." Mr, ■ Carson said, "Go and lie down, Harris, there is. nothing, the matter with you.< He then went away, and Harris put out his. signal again. The warder came badf and Ba id, "If you put out your signal any.more I'll put you someW i~ r r \ wheTli y° u «&»'*•" That was about eleven days ago, and other fellows beard the same thing. .The Coroner: The records show that the doctor saw deceased on March 4, when he was well. • •

Sergeant Bowman: Did you ever th,nk i that Harris was likel/to ham !"?»•«»■■ with-W*- knffe'-No, sir. S seemed to be quite harinlees.

1 COROKER'S. VERDICT. Coroner , returned a verdict of *£ c £tL£s ! dded : nb blame «ow be attached to anyone. "One pleasing SiV- t^- caße " added »• ftSS? is that in his statement the deceased made no complaint about anyone."