THE SUICIDE EPIDEMIC.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 123, 21 November 1895, Page 2

THE SUICIDE EPIDEMIC.

¦ « AN UNEMPLOYED CLERK SHOOTS HIMSELF. The dead body of John Scott M'lntcßh, formerly a clerk in the National Bank, waa found in Newtown Park yesterday afternoon by three boys named Alfred Skinner, Frederick Miles, and Goorge Haselwood. It was fully dressed, and beside it wr<- a revolver, ono chamber of whioh had been discharged. Above deceased's left eye was a bullot wound. A hat with tbe name " M'lntosh " written in pencil on tbe lining was found close at hand. Sergeant Shirley, in obargo of the Mount Cook Police Station, waß informed of tho discovery, and had the body removod to tho Morguo, where an inquest is boing held as wo go to press. The deceased was born in Dunedin 28ycarB ago, and on leaving eohool entered the Eervice of the National Bmk. i ater on he was transferred to Wellingtou.and subsequently to Napier. He resigned his appointment about four years ago and for a year acted as canvasser for a lifo assurance office. About the beginning of the present year he obtained a situation in Messrs Uriscoe, Maoneil & Co.'s Wellington house, but lef c tho firm's servico some month 8 ago, and since then he had been out of employment. Lately he sufferod from indigestion, and ho had alao complained of want of sleep, but there was nothing ia his manner to suggest suioidal tendencies. Abrnt 1.15 on Monday afternoon he told his wife (formerly Miss Kingdon, of Karori) that ho was going away to bny some bread. She did not see him alive ngain A friond saw him going towards Newtown Park from his house in Lawrencestreet between 1 and 2 o'clock, and it is now evident that he was on hia way to commit suicide. Although he had been ont of work for aome timo ho was not without means, and tho motive for hjs rash act is not known. Deceased was married only a few months ago, and Mrs. M'lntosh, we regret, to learn, is in delicate health.