FATALITIES AND ACCIDENTS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 51, 16 March 1903, Page 2

FATALITIES AND ACCIDENTS.

THE SUICIDE AT WAKEFIELD.

THE INQUEST

Yesterday morning an inquest Was held at Wakefield before Mr H. W. Robinson, Coroner, on the body of a man named W. S., Rawcliffe, who committed suicide at Church Valley on Friday last by drinking carbolic acid.

The jury comprised Messrs W. L. Bird (foreman) D. Stevens, A. Kelling, 0. G. Bird. G. H. Johnson, and J. Price.

Richard Stevens sworn, said^he was a brickmaker and lived at Church Valley, Knew the deceased and was in the habit of seeing him daily. Last saw Rawclifie alive last Friday at dinner time. Took Rawcliffe some dinner. A man named Meyer had been living with deceased, but knew Meyer was away. Knew that Rawcliffe had not been quite, right in the head for about a week. Thought Rawcliffe had been drinking a good deal, but* for the last few days had no driiikin the house but ginger-beer. Thought that Raweliffe's state was the result of drink and trouble. Last Friday week met Rawcliffe iii Wakefield and Rawcliffe remarked, "Have y«u heard the news ?" Witness replied, ''No*' Rawcliffe then said, "Meyer opened the door and let in. two detectives, and they, are going to arrest me. 11 In the evening witness came t<j the house and found Rawcliffe dressed ready to go with the detectives— there were none. Rawcliffe whispered to witness, "Don't

talk." Witness said, "I've cleared them out," but Rawcliffe insisted that detectives we're ih til a house.

Witness asked Rawcliffe to his (witness'^ house) in the evening's, but Rawcliffe would not converse, but sat silent with his hand to his head. Last Saturday week witness' gpt another man to stay in the house with Rawcliffei as eyer was afraid to be

with him (Rawcliffe) alone. Last Sunday witness came to the house early in the morning. The door was open, and witness looked into the bedroom, but Rawcliffe was not there. The two men were asleei . Could not find Rawcliffe. The same afternoon Constable Knappbrought Rawcliffe to his (witness's) house. Rawcliffe was rational enough at times, but had fits of depression. Last Friday night, in consequence of what Meyer and his (witness's) son had' said, he (witness) w v ent to ai paddock tvjar Ra,wclifft's.house, and there found his (Rawcliffe's) body— quite dead but not cold. The coat, trousers and boots were on, but no shirt. The body, was lyiiig oil its back. Never heard Rawcliffe proposing suicide.

James Meyer, labourer, sworn, said he was in Rawcliffe's employ for .about 1 four weeks. Witness slept in the house. Rawcliffe had been drinking, but latterly knocked off. Last Friday week was the first 1 line withers noticed anything wrong with Rawcliffe. Rawcliffe then told witness that detectives wera watching him (Rawcliffe), and that he Rawcliffe) was waitihg for them. Last Friday witness Was away ih the morningMafter breakfast—leaving Rawcliffe jh beH. Knew Mr Stevens took; Rawcliffe some dinner, a little after five o'clock^ Witnessreturned and pushed the door open. Saw Rawcliffe ,ying in the paddock, amd brought St°',~ii s , ;a nd . found him deal), rfhtw Rawcliffe had a bO.tic oi carbolic acid, which he ?ißawcliffe) used 1 as a disinfectant. Const able Knapp, sworn, said he knew the deceased by sight.. Last Sunday Mr Stevens reported that Rawcliffe was missing. ( ' Witness searched aaift found Rawcliffe about a mile away in some manuka. Got Rawcliffe inta a suiky. Kawcliffe told witness that he (Rawcliffe) felt "ai bit mixed," and "that detectives were watching him."' Took Rawcliffe to his , (Rawcliffe's) house, and after* call ing at Stevens's, Rawcliffe remarked, "I'm all right," Rawcliffe said he had had nothing to eat . for a> week as ten days. Rawcliffe had a wash and then seemed fairlyf well, but a little .shaky aiid restless. Found the body last Friday night, and the bottle containing carbolic acid. . Waiter Ralph Pear less, medical practitioner,.. Wakefield, said he knew ti^e deceased. Rawcliffe was suffering from alcoholic mania, and prescribed for that. Last saw Rawcliffe alive on Tuesday last. Rawcliffe then . seemed better, and talked rationally.

The .jury returned a verdict of suicide by poisoning while of unsound mind.