MELANCHOLY SUICIDE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1619, 29 April 1879, Page 2

MELANCHOLY SUICIDE.

A melancholy ease of death by drowning has occurred within the past week, and from the circumstances surrounding it, there appears to be no doubt but that the deceased destroyed himself. At about two o’clock yesterday afternoon a boy named William Robb informed Constable Norgate, whom he met in the street, that the body of a man was lying in the river. On proceeding to the spot indicated, about four chains below the Madras street bridge, the constable saw the body lying at the bottom of the river in about five feet of water. Ho at once obtained assistance, got the body out of the river, and took it to the Foresters’ Arms Hotel, where it now lies. From papers found on deceased, it was ascertained that he was a young man named Bush, who had been in Christchurch for some time. The body was also identified by Detective Walker, who knew Bush tolerably well. In the pockets of his clothes were found—two tobacco pouches, a pipe, two studs, a pocket knife, a key, one penny, one die, and sundry papers. Among the documents was a letter addressed to F. W. Bush, Esq-, Old Square, Lincoln’s Inn, London, and running as follows : Christchurch. April 21st, 1879.

My Dear Father, —I received your letter by the last mail a few days ago, and was grieved to find that you refused to afford mo any assistance. I now tell you that my last penny is gone, and I am in debt to the amount of a few pounds. Before this letter speeds on its way, I hope to be in a place where no money is required, and you will be rid of one that you liked in days gone by to call son. It is not for myself, but my wife and child, that I implore assistance from you. I hope you will think kindly of me, and believe me to be

Your affectionate sou,

Frank W. Bush.

Please give my kind love to all at home. The whereabouts of the wife and child are at present unknown, but the police will make every effort to discover whore they reside. It may be stated that the police will be glad to receive from anyone who knew the deceased information as to his past life and his relations. An inquest will bo held on the body at the Foresters’ Arms Hotel, if possible, to-day.