TELEGRAMS (PRESS ASSOCIATION.) VETERINARY SURGEON'S SUICIDE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 11, 13 July 1914, Page 3

TELEGRAMS (PRESS ASSOCIATION.) VETERINARY SURGEON'S SUICIDE

A WELL-KNOWN EXPERT. CHRISTCHURCH, 11th July. Mr. J. R. Charlton, a very well-known veterinary surgeon, who has resided in and practised in Christchurch for a long time, was found dead this morning in his room at the Shades Hotel, where he had boarded for a good many years. He was lying on his bed, fully dressed, with his left hand in his pocket. A small .bottle that smelt of poison was standing on a duchess table, and the deceased's clothes also smelt of poison. Dr. Westenra, who was called, pronounced life extinct, and said that the deceased had been dead about six or eight hours. The late Mr. Charlton was a married man, and some years ago he held the position of lecturer on veterinary science at Canterbury Agricultural College. Subsequently he held Government positions as inspector of meat, etc., and latterly had practised his profession privately. At the inquest, which was held this afternoon, the Coroner returned a verdict that the deceased had committed suicide by taking poison. SAD DROWNING FATALITY MAN AND HIS WIFE LOSE THEIR LIVES. GORE, 11th July. A sad drowning fatality has occurred in the Mataura River. Mr. Thomas F. GoHie, a farmer, of Wendonside, situated twenty- eight miles from Gore, and his wife, both between the ages of forty and fifty, visited Cattle Flat, seven miles from Wendonside, on Thursday evening, and stayed with friends. They left at midnight on Friday in a trap, and had to ford the Mataura. A party of young men, including two of Mr. Goldie's stepsons, were going to Balfour to play football, and at 3 p.m. on Saturday they found the smashed trap on the river bank. The horse was loose. A search was made, aiid the body of Mr. Goldie was found 100 yds below the -ford, in a paddock, about 20yds from the river. Mrs. Goldie's body was found a mile below the ford, in a pool of the river. An inquest will be held. i TIMBER INDUSTRY HOKITIKA, 11th July. The timber industry on the West Coast continues to improve under bettor conditions, and prices, chiefly owing to better organisation amongst millers. Outside capital is being attracted, one largo ■ mill recently having changed ownership, the capital value being over £20,000. It is rumoured that other consolidating interests are being made with a view to cheapening the cost of production, and better facilities for handling the future prospects of the trade, which has suffered somewhat during the last two years, are good, particularly if labour is available, there being a good demand for competent men. PALMERSTON'S QUEEN OP THE CARNIVAL PALMERSTON N., 12th July. The election for a queen of the carnival terminated last evening, when Miss Ellen Millar (the sporting candidate) was elected queen, the voting being as follows : Miss Millar 31,336, Miss Taylor 30,139, \Mis,s Mailman 10,704, Miss Harris 10,049, Miss Cook 3714.' The proceeds from the voting and the carnival amounted to over £1000. "JOY RIDE " PROSECUTION CHRISTCHURCH, 11th July. The taxi-cab case was continued today, when Thomas Heade and James Salt were charged with administering whisky to a girl under sixteen. Evidence was given by constables and men who heard screams from ths car in the street. The case for the prosecution has closed, and the Magistrate adjourned the further hearing until Monday.