SUICIDE AT A BOARDING HOUSE. WELLINGTON.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 3313, 31 March 1879, Page 2

SUICIDE AT A BOARDING HOUSE. WELLINGTON.

Oa the 10th a man named Matthew McLean was found dead in bed at a boacding-house on Plimmer's Stepa. McLean oame to the house about a week ago, and boarded there. He stated that he was 51 years of age, and from what he said it ia believed that he came from the Wairapara, where he appears to have been the overseer of a large sheep station. He had been a Good Templar for three years, but lately broke the pledge when staying at an hotel in town. He drank to! excess, and reduced himself to such a state that he was induced by his friends to enter a private boarding-house. There every effort was made to keep drink away from him, but he appears to have obtained it in some way, for several times he was found with bottles of spirits. He was in a despondent state through this excessive indulgence in drink, but he had shown no signs of suicidal mania. This morning about 8 o'clock a cup of tea was taken to his room, when he was found to be quite dead. The police were immediately communicated with, and they called Dr Diver. At first there were no suspicions of suicide, but when the police examined the body,|they found an open pocket-knife clasped in his hand, with blood upon the blade. There was a deep wound in the left side, near the heart, which evidently caused death. There was little blood on the clothes, as the wound had bled, internally. Death had evidently taken place only a short time prviously. Between 4 and So'clock McLean was heard moving in the room, and a match was heard to strike; so it is supposed the fatal wound was inflicted about thia time. McLean is believed to be a married man.