HIS OWN JUDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 306, 26 December 1924, Page 3

HIS OWN JUDGE.

DETAINED MAN SUICIDES. MASQL'ERADED IX NEW ZEALAND. William Davenport Brown, 29, electrical engineer, was detained by the police at a Xewtown jeweller's shop on December 1, while inspecting a diamond ring, says a Sydney exchange. He answered the description of a man who had, on November 28, attempted to utter a valueless cheque for £72. and at the same time steal a diamond ring. Shortly after being taken to the Newtown muster room, Brown was accompanied to the lavatory by a constable. On his way back he staggered against the wall, and fell to the ground. He was rushed to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital where a few minutes after his arrival he died. A piece of paper containing grains of powder was found in his pocket. "Cyanide poisoning," said the doctor. "Wilfully administered," said Mr. Jamieson, the City Coroner. So ended the career of a confirmed criminal who, two years ago. left some uuhappy memories and .criminal 'records behind him in the Dominion. Coming to Auckland in June, 1922, by the Makura, Major Brown, as he styled himself, a man of prepossessing personality, quickly ingratiated himself in the unsuspecting social circle of this city. He stayed at the most stylish hotel, and was made an honorary member of its most select club, but this was only a means of developing his criminal kink. Ere long he appeared at the Police Court charged with the theft of an overcoat from one of his newly-made fronds, but was leniently treated by t' . Bench and admitted to probation. Before the term bad expired Brown h a d exploited a new field in Wellington, and this time was sentenced to 'three months' imprisonment. About this time a well-known identity of Auckland appealed unsuccessfully at the Supreme Court against the recovery of a sum of £50 for which he had become liaWe through backing a document for the plausible Brown. The latter apparently crossed the Tasman after serving his sentence at Wellington, and there pursuer] liis unlawful practice? until he came to the tragic end recorded above.