SUICIDES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10060, 21 February 1896, Page 2 (Supplement)

SUICIDES.

A sad and tragic occurrence took place at Ponsonby on Feb. 18. Mr. William Parkinson, who had been for many years conneced with the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, but had for

some months past been engaged in tho

Auckland office of the Waihi Gold Mining Company, committed suicide in his residence, Curran-street, by culling his throat with a table knife. The unfortunate man had been in ailing health for some time, and lattsrly was suffering from insomnia and melancholia. The deceased was only 38 years of age, and leaves a widow and several step children. He was of a quiet and retiring disposition, and was greatly respected by all who know him. An inquest was hold on Fobrunry 19 by Dr. I'hilson, coroner, and a jury. The evidence showed that the mental troubles of the deceased began about twelve months ago, when an aeoident occurred on the Auckland-Rotorua railway. After hearing the evidence the jury returned a verdict of " Suicide while insane." Tho deceased was in fairly good financial circumstances, and has left some property. A Mrs. Graham, residing at Cromwell Flat, drowned horsolf in the Molyneux River. The woman had been delirious through illness, and managed to make her escape from home.

McAllister, a chemist, of Invorcargill, committed suicide at tho Ashburn Hall Asylum by cutting his throat with a ponknife.

William Taylor, age' '0, committed suicide by hanging him' >: l -i . two-roomed house at Rnslyn. Ho was a racholor, and had been living a hermit's lifo. Tho death of Mr. R. L. Garland, of Mauku, under somewhat singular circumstances, was reported by Constable Mcfiovorn, of Pukekohe. It is said that on tho 30th Jan. he got a sleeping draught, and on the following day took un overdose, which caused his death in the afternoon. He had no relatives in New Zealand, and leaves a wife and daughter living in Eng. land. Mr. W. Thome, of Auckland, has been acting as his solicitor. At tho in quest the jury returned a verdict to the effect "That deceased took an ovordoso of chloral wliilo suffering from temporary infinity." For several months past deceased has shown signs of mental aberration. Ono of his delusions was thn ! , ho was about to become a poor man, though his income was about £2000 a-year.