INQUEST.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1026, 27 February 1869, Page 3

INQUEST.

An inquest was held on Tuesday last, 23rd inst., at the Settlers' Hotel, before T. Hitchings Esq., coroner, and a jury, upon the body of one Alfred Gentry, formerly a private in H.M. 70th regiment, then and there lying dead. The following evidence was adduced :— John T. Johnson, sworn, deposed: I am a baker* residing in Hastings-street, Napier. I identify deceased as Alfred Gentry. He had been stopping at my house, and sleeping there for five or six weeks, assisting in the business and doing odd jobs about the place. During this time he has been melancholy, particularly during the last week or two. He admitted to me on one occasion, that whilst at Mr. Rhodes' he loaded a gun for the purpose of selfdestruction, and lately has frequently made the remark that he wished it was the will of the Almighty to take him. On Saturday week I discharged him. Yesterday morning he came back, asking to be taken back and for something to eat. This was about 9 a.m. I refused him work. After giving him his breakfast, I saw him pass once or twice during the day, but did not speak to him. The last time was between 5 and 6 p.m. Deceased was in the habit of drinking when he could procure it. Frederick Northe, sworn, deposed: I am fifteen years of age, and work at Mr. Holder's, saddler. I have known deceased about eight months, and frequently in the habit of seeing him at Mr. Johnson's and elsewhere. On coming home last night about 10 o'clock I saw deceased in Chaucer road, walking towards Carlyle-street. I spoke to him, and asked him what he was doing up there so lato. He replied he was taking a walk. I asked if he had any work. He replied he thought he could get some from Mr. Weber. It was* : .quite light— the moon shining; and he : had no rope with him that I saw. I then < wished him goQd night. He appeared ' quite sober, and Bis manner much as usual. ; William Mitchell, sworn, deposed: I ' am a private 2nd battalion 18th Royal J Irish. I was returning to barracks about ' 12 o'clock last night. About a hundred ' yards from the barracks my attention was ( attraoted by something like a human form • hanging from the bough of a tree close to ■ the main road. I could see no signs of | life in him. I then walked quickly to tho ' barracks and acquainted the corporal of ; the guard, who accompanied me back to the spot. We then cut the man down, by i cutting the rope by which he was sus- ; pended. He was quite cold, and had apparently been dead an hour. There is . ( a post-and-rail fence close by where he ' was hanging, and he must have accom- ] plished the deed by first getting on the } top rail, and, having made the rope fast to ' a bough, must have jumped ofi, and so ' hung himself. • His feet were about eight inches from the ground. I then acquainted [ the civil authorities, who took charge of the body. Verdict— That the deceased committed suicide when laboring under temporary insanity.