SUICIDES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9490, 20 April 1894, Page 2 (Supplement)

SUICIDES.

| On the morning of April 4, Mr. Robert Garret, a gum merchant, was found in his room at) his residence, Otahuhu, shot through .the head. Shortly before eight o'clock his wife took some tea to him in his room, and shortly afterwards she heard the report of a pistol, and on entering his room found him lying in a pool of blood shot through the head with a revolver, which was lying besido him still smoking. Medical aid was called in, but nothing could be done, though living he was unconscious. Dr. Erson, of Onehunga, tho family doctor, was called, but Mr. Garrett was dead before Dr. Erson arrived. Mr. Garrett dealt largely in kauri gum, and it is generally understood that his mind had become deranged owing to the hoavy losses he had recently sustained, owing to the depression in this class of produce. An inquest was held at Otahuhu in the afternoon by Mr. S. Luke, coroner, when, after the evidence was given, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased shot himself while suffering from temporary insanity. He leaves a wife and family to mourn their loss. The funoral took place at Otahuhu on April 5, and the large attendance showed the respect and esteem in which tho deceased gentleman was held. The Auckland Club, the Auckland Racing Club, the Amateur Athletic Club, and other bodies with which Mr. Garrett was associated, were largely represented by members, and the country residents were present in large numbers. The funoral service of the Church of England was impressively read by the Rov. F. Gould.

Henry Todd, anemployeeof theGoven\menb Insurance Department, Dunedin, committed suicide at Waitati by shootiniz himself with a revolver. On a visiting card the deceased wrote: — Cause, lovely woman ; effect, broken promises ; epilogue, a thousand apologies." The deceased was 30 years of ago. He was unmarried, and has no relatives in Dunedin, but has a brother residing in Wellington. At the inquest, a verdict of Suicide while in a state of temporary insanity" was returned. On March 30, about ten p.m., a Mrs. Sarah Rowe, aged (30, living in Newton Road, was taken to the Hospital, suffering from phosphorous poisoning. It is stated that she took four boxes of matches in the morning and four in tha evening. Her husband gave her emetics of warm water, mustard, and salt, to make her vomit. Constable Hinton got the ambulance waggon, and had her removed to the Hospital, where she died on April 4. She was suffering from cancer and scarcely responsible for her actions. At the inquest the jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity. A man named O'Boirne was admitted to the Hospital on April 3, it being stated that ho was suffering from phosphorus poisoning, having swallowed some match leads. He succumbed on April 4. At the inquest hold on the body the jury returned a verdict to the effect thai deceased committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity. He was recently an employee in the Government Printing Office, and on April ii Mr. \V. Jennings, M.L.C., received a telegram from Mr. \V. .Smith, of the Government Printing Office, requesting him, on behalf of tho companionship, to put a floral cross on the coffin, as a token of the esteem in which he was held by his former fellowworkers. The funeral took place on theGtii April. There were present the members of the Auckland Typographical Society, tho H.A.C.B. Society, as well as a number of old colonists to pay the last tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased. The Rev. Father Downey officiated at the grave, the funeral taking place at tho Catholic Cemetery, Symondsstreet. George Price, son of William Price, storekeeper, at Havelock, committed suicide on April 6 by taking rough on rats. Ho has been in ill-health for some time past, and to this is attributed the rash act.