CASUALTIES.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15250, 22 April 1915, Page 9

CASUALTIES.

SUICIDE AT ST. ALBANS

In responso to a request from Mrs "Williams, residing at 67 Sherborne street. St. Albans, Constablo Beard, on going to the houso shortly after 11 o'clock yesterday morning found the door of her husband's bedroom locked, and on getting in through tho window he found the husband lying face downwards on tho floor in a _iool of blood. A l.lood-stuinod razor was lying close by. Tho man, whoso nanio is Thomas John Tudd Williams, about fifty years of. age, was attended by Dr. Wostenra about noon, and on tlio doctor's instructions "wab removed to the Hospital, where ho died shortly after ono o'clock. At an inquest held by tho Coroner. (Mr H. W*. Bishop, S.M.), Mary Williams, wife of tho deceased, said her husband's health had been very bad lately, and ho had suffered from a nervous breakdown, one sent iar xrr. (Jrooko on Tuesday night to see hmi. »no tnougnt tnat, nis mind was anected. Ho never spoke of committing suicide, but was very depressed, lao nacl been iv bed tor two days, and did not sloop well at times. Sho was with him all 'J'uesdav night. V ostcrday morning about 7 o'clock ho told her tnat he felt very.bad. About 11 a.m. ho got up and went outside, and then came bacti again, and when ho went into his room he said 4 'l am a ruined man"." Ho told witness to go out of the room, and pushed her oufc and locked the door. Witness did not anticipate any trouble, and went out. Shortly after sho heard a noise, and then she rang up for tho police. Tho constable, when ho arrived, got iv through tho window. Witness said, in her opinion, her husband had committed suicide. Ho was a very steady man, but highly strung. Tho Coroner returned a verdict that deceased committed suicide by cutting his throat, while in a state of unsound mind.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TEhEGBAJIa.) WHANGAREI, April 2i. An extraordinary accident, unexpectedly ending lataiiy to-aay, occurica at Wairua Jbalts, in connexjon with the Dominion Cement Company's works, in course of erection. On Monday, Thomas Oldcorn, a middle-aged carter, residing at Whangarei, was driving a fivehorsed covered van between the shear legs of the derrick*. Ho thought the wheel would touch ono of tho legs, so he leaned forward to prevent a collision. Tho cudless derrick chain caught' him round the neck, and dragged him from his seat, 7ft high, to the ground. Oldcorn, who did not consider himself badly hurt, was taken (protesting) to the doctor. His condition grew worse, and he was sent to the hospital, where ho died to-day. At tho inquest a verdict of death from shock and injuries accidentally received, was recorded. NEW PLYMOUTH, April 21. A man named Herbert J. Hollingson Was killed on the Main South road, threo miles from New Plymouth, this afternoon; as the result of a fall from, a six-horse waggon which he was driving. He is believed to liave come from tho Nelson district. He leaves a widow and five children, the eldest of whom is only seven -years of age. LEVIN, April -SI. A lad named Davies. 15 years of age, was drowned while bathing in tho Ohau river this morning. Ho was seized with cramp. TIMARU, April 21. William Fitzgerald, a builder's labourer, an experienced man, was ono of a party engaged in puumg down the old Grcsvenor Hotel this afternoon. He was standing on top ol a brick wall, wher it gave way under him, and he fell head-first on the hard footpath, and died shortly after. Deceased was an old resident, and father of a large family. On Saturday last, he saw tho fourth of his sons off to Trentham.