SUICIDES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8987, 27 February 1888, Page 3 (Supplement)

SUICIDES.

SUICIDE IN LAKE TAKAPUNA. About eleven a.m. on the 12th February, the body of a young woman was found in Lake Takapuna. The young lady's name was Lucy Denize. She was twenty-two years of age, but looked much younger. She was the daughter of Mr. John Denize, an old settler, who resides at Onehunga. Up till about eight or nine months ago, she was a happy and healthful girl; but then some functional derangement.occurred, which induced melancholy and low spirits, and medical _ treatment seemed to have no effect. Thinking that a change of air might do her good, she was sent about a month ago on a visit to the house of Mr. E. Meatyard, at the Lake. There she seemed to be recovering 'health and spirits; and her father, who visited her last week, wa3 quite gratified to see her showing signs of a permanent improvement. She was in the habit of going to bathe in the morning with Mrs. Meatyard, but they always went to the sea beach, not to the Lake. She occupied, a bedroom with Miss Coade, who also was on a visit at Mr; Meatyard's. They occupied separate beds, but were close to each other. On the 11th February, both retired between nine and ten p.m., and there was nothing in the manner of deceased to make anyone think that she contemplated suicide. Early next morning, Miss Coade awoke, and on looking round she found that deceased's bed was empty. She was somewhat surprised, but

thought that she had started to bathe somewhat earlier than usuaL Shortly afterwards five o'clock struck. Some time after this Mrs. Meatyard came into the bedroom with deceased's bathing dress, only to find that she had gone. Immediate search was made all over the place by Mr. and Mrs. Meatyard, but no sign of her could be found. It was evident that she had not -gone to bathe, because she had not taken her bathing dress. Mrs. Meatyard made further search in the bedroom. She found that deceased had gone away in her chemise and night-dress, a pair of light boots, and a dark dress. On the dressing table was left a scrap of paper with the address written on it, " Mr. F. Jeune, Excelsior Hall, Pitt and Eaststreets, Newton." Mr. Jeune, we may state, was an old friend of the family, who also are Jersey people, and deceased apparently left the note so that the news might be communicated to him first. Between ten and eleven o'clock, Mr. Harold Kisaling, son of Mr. G. S. Kissling, and Mr. Clement Lawford, son of Mr. Lawford, were going to the Lake to bathe, and passed down the road leading between the properties of Mr. Brett and Mr. Roberton. This is only a short distance from Mr. Meatyard's house. They noticed on tho bank a dress and a pair of boots, and on looking into the Lake, they saw the body lying at the bottom, in about sixteen feet of water. Tho body was subsequently recovered and taken to Mr. Meatyard's house. An inquest was held on the I3th February, before Colonel De Quincey, J.P., at the residence of Mr. Meatyard. There was a jury of six, of whom Mr. J. Black was foroman. The evidence given bore out the above statement, the only fresh item being that deceased could not swim, and that it was with difficulty she was persuaded to go into the water when she went to bathe. The jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

The body of a baker named John Whiteside was found in the river near Barbadoesstreet, Christchurch, on Friday morning, February 3. He was last seon alive on Wednesday night, and was then sober. He livod unhappily with his wife, and had previously attempted suicide. A man named William Lewis was found dead in the Napier Botanic Gardens on January 29. It is evidently a caso of suicide, as a revolver was clutched in the right hand, and deceased had a bullet wound in the right temple. Monetary troubles are supposed to have been the cause. The deceased had been drinking for some time past. George Young, a clerk in the Sheep and Rabbit Inspector's office, Masterton, shot himself in the yard behind his office on Tuesday, the 31st January. He was discovered in a dying state about half-an-hour after committing the deed, and lived only a few minutes after being found. He shot himself in the mouth, the bullet going right into the skull. He left a letter intimating his intention of killing himself, saying lie was tired of life. He leaves a wife and six children at homo. His life was insured for £500 in the Government Office, and for £200 in anothor company. Monetary difficulties are the supposed cause.