SAVED FROM SUICIDE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5149, 8 July 1927, Page 1

SAVED FROM SUICIDE.

CASE AT HAMILTON.

YOUNG MAN’S DRASTIC INTENTION

Pedestrians crossing the railway footbridge at Hamilton (which stands 80ft above the river) about 8 o’clock on Sunday night saw a tall young man leaning despondently on the handrail, and they gave him merely a passing thought. When the bridge was, dear of people, however, the young fellow climbed over on to the railway line, and, making his way to the far girders, which gave a clear drop into the water below, was apparently contemplating ending his existence, when he was checked in his intention by a lady’s voice imploring him not to jump.

According to the man himself (states the Waikato Times), this timely intervention saved his ilfe, for it raised before him visions of his mother, lying stricken with cancer at her home in Sydney. It had been because he could no longer contribute to his sick mother's support, through .being penniless and out of work, that the thoughts of suicide while in a fit of despondency assailed him.

The police were communicated with and Constable Alpin 1 , after having a talk with the man, decided that it would be better, in his own interests, to give him a bed for the night at the police station,

The young man’s name was Ernest Lowe, and in <i signed statement he said he had been working for a farmer at Matamata, but he was now out of employment, and owed his landlady at Hamilton for his, board. He had no money and could not get work,, while he was depressed over being unable any longer to send any money to his mother in Sydney, who was suffering from cancer. It was while in this despondent state o f mind that he crossed the railway bridge, when it occurred to him to end it all. Waiting until -tjhere. was nobody on the bridge, he climbed over t>he handrail,’ crossed the line, and was about to fling himself into the water when he heard a lady’s voice calling “Please don’t jump.” A vision of his mother then came to him and he recrossed the line and hurried away from temptation.

Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., said that while the man may hflve had an intention to commit suicide, he could hardly have been .said to have attempted to take his life. One- might pick up a pen with the intention to write but make no attempt to do so.

Sergeant Cooper said that Lowe himself declared he intended to commit suicide.

His Worship asked accused if he had anything to say.

Lowe replied in terms of his signed statement.

His Worhsip: Do you think that your committing suicide would help your mother ?

Accused: I now realise that it would not, but I. was despondent.

His Worship: Why did you leave your employment at Matamata ? “My boss was a hard man to work for. Nothing I did seemed to please him,” replied Lowe.

Dean Barnett, who was present in Court, said he had interested himself in the young man, and thought he would be able to secure him employment.

The lady with whom Lowe had been boarding for several days also offered to put him up for some time further, free of cost.

His Worship, in convicting and,discharging the young man, told him not to abuse the generosity shown him, and not to be so foolish as to again think of taking his life.