INQUEST.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9554, 4 July 1911, Page 7

INQUEST.

' Tho inquest touching the death of Frederick William Schlicrikc, who was found on Thursday afternoon in an outliouso at his mother's ( residence, C'ollogo street' with his throat cut, was held before Mr A. D. Thomson, S.M., yesterday afternoon. A sister of deceased gave evidence that on tho afternoon of tho young man's death the- family woro having tea together at her residence. Deceased, who was among those- present, asked his mother if she- had locked tho doors of tho house. Sho ropliod "No," and he went away in tho direction of tho house. Tho mother followed him, and ho returned to witnoss back door. Witness wont out to him, and he walked away again. Sho asked him to como inside, but he did not answer, but walked into the washliouso at tho rear of his mother's residence. Witness followed him, and when half-way to tho .building heard a noise, which sho took to bo deceased falling over._ On entering site found him lying on his face. Thinking that ho was ill sho made to pick him up, and discovered that ho had cut Ins throat. Sho did not sco a razor, but saw a razor case on o, table near him. Witness procured help, and a doctor was SCllt for, who pronounced life extinct. Sho had seen her brother frequently prior to his death, and sho was not aware that he was in ill-health. Since tho Monday preceding his decease ho had appeared to bo worrying, but had never said or done anything that would-load her to supposethat ho would take his life. On tho morning of the tragedy ho returned homo from work, as ho was unwell; his hands wcro shaking. Doceasod was of a reticent disposition, and had made no complaints. When asked by witness if the business was worrying him—if he owed any money-ho replied "No." To witness's knmvledgo he had no domestic troubles. Dr. Greig said deceased called on nim the day before he committed suicide. He was in'a depressed, nervous condition, and led witness to believe that !bo business was worrying him. Witness could not succeed in eliciting any other cause for his worrying. The doctor gave him a, tonic and cheered him. and he departed in an apparently brighter condition. Deceased did not at that time give any evidence of mental instability. Gusta-v A. Schlierike, brother of the do ceased, said that Frederick was S3 years of age and unmarried, and was in partnership in a plumbing business with wit'. IICSS. Deceased had never boon very strong. On Saturday, 24th ult., deceased had a trembling fiL, but came to workas usual on tho Monday, and seemed _ to be all right. On Wednesday morning about 11 o'clock he camo to tho shop and said ho wanted to "fix up tho business. Witness asked, "What for?" but deceased gavo no explanation, Ho sec-ned to wander a little in his mind. Th«y cycled homo together, deceased remaining at homo and witness . returning lo work. Witness learned of tho tragedy tho same .afternoon. The business was prospering, and witness and his brother had always been on friendly terms. Witness could think of nothing that would have caused deceased to take hi s life. Constable Gow gave evidence as (o the finding of tho body, and the nature of tho wound which was the cause of death Deceased had a razor (produced) in his left hand. Tho Coroner returned- a verdict of doath from a wound in tho throat selfinflicted while in a state of vemporary insanity.