A BUSH TRAGEDY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 252, 1 November 1901, Page 2

A BUSH TRAGEDY.

YOUNG MAN CUTS HIS THROAT.

DESPONDENT OVER LOSSES AT HACKS.

I Special to Tiv , An inquest was held a 'olago Bay last evening on the body the young man. Charles Fry. whose d atli v.as reported in yesterday's issue, v aptain Chvisp, J.P., Gisborne, acted as coroner, the jury comprising Messrs lloider (foreman), Nelson, Dobson. Glover. Lockwood, and Goodlcy. Constable Donovan represented the police. The evidence given at the inquest revealed a sad state of affairs. The testimony of deceased's two mates, whose names are Gardiner and i’resland, went to show that the unfortunate young man. iu company with one of Ills mates, at

tended the Gisborne raves during show week. Deceased had earned a fair cheque at h .-n-ieliing during the previous three months, and speculating freely, he lost the sum of Xls. as well as over X'fi which he borrowed from his mate, lie became very despondent over his losses, and on the following Monday morning, complained that he felt unwell. Jlis mates advised him no; to go to work that day, telling hint that if he took a little while oil he would get better. Deceased, however, went to work at live

o'clock in the evening, and in the presence i of his companions commenced to tulle a i lot of nonsense ill a very loud voice. After a while they succeeded in pacifying him, anti they till went home to the camp together. Deceased ate a good tea and had a fair night's rest. On the Tuesday morning he breakfasted with his companions and went to work as usual, i >eceased was very despondent, and throughout the day was very quiet. At night he got worse, and talked in a most irrational manner. Deceased raved a good deal during the evening, and expressed his determination to go home to Auckland to sec his friends. Fry wont to the tent of one of his mates, and told him to get ready, as ho wanted to get away to Gisborne at once, as he wished to take steamer from there to Auckland. His mates had a consultation, and decided that deceased was not in his right- senses, and it would be as well to get him away to Gisborne. On the following morning, the three men caught their horses and saddled them, but, whilst they wore getting ready to leave for Gisborne, Gardiner's horse broke away from the tent door. .I’resland and Gardiner both went after the horse, leaving Fry alone in the tout. The two men were absent about lialf-an-hour catching the horse. Gardiner was the first to return to the tent, and he was shocked to find Fry lying there face downwards on the I ground in a large pool of blood, and a i razor at his right hand. Gardiner van down the track to meet his mate, and exclaimed, " Boor Charlie has done for himself.” When they reached the tent they found Fry quite dead. They covered up the body with some sacks, and afterwards got their horses and proceeded to Tolago I lay, where they reported the matter to Constable Donovan. The hitter proceeded to the locality, which is at the back of Mr Loisel’s Wail tail station, about eight miles from Tolago Hay, and arranged for the body be taken to Tolago. A verdict of “ suicide whilst temporarily insane ” was returned.