SUICIDES

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10132, 15 May 1896, Page 3 (Supplement)

SUICIDES

A man named Thos. Stephens committed suicide at Waitekauri, by hanging himself to a rafter in % tent belonging to a man named Daniel Voss. A coroner's inquest was held at Waiteknuri on April 24, before Mr. Joseph Nathan, J.P., and a jury of six, of whom Mr. Daniel Campbell was chosen foreman. After sevoral witnesses had been heard, Dr. Wright gave evidence to tho effect that he had made a post mortom, and as a result of his examination he concluded that death was due to alcoholic coma, and this was accelerated by partial asphyxia, which was produced by tho position in which deceased had placed himself, viz., by putting his head in a thin strap and leaning on it. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence. Deceased was a middle-aged man, and had only beon it Waitekauri a few days, during which time he had been drinking very heavily. The Raglan police on Tuesday, tho 28th of April, received the. information that a young man named Hendorson has committed suicide by hanging himself at McJannet'B farm, Woodhead. Henderson went out to inspect the sheep, and not returning, Mr. McJannet went to look forhim, and found him hanging by his neck in tho house.

James Fox, farmer, of Mandoville, Otago, committed suicide on April 30 by shooting himself. Ho had been arrested on tho 18th for criminal a«sault on his niece under 15. The case had boon romanded several times. On April 29, after the last remand, ho went home drunk, and was found dead in bed this morning with a riflo alongside. A determined suicido was committed at Coote's homestead, Blackwater, Grey Valley. A man named Martin Cruse shot himself, firing two shots into his body.

A widow woman, Mr*. Elizabeth Jones, residing in Stanley-streot, Archhill, committed suicide on April 20 by hanging herself to it door with a clothes line. About a couple of years ago sho lost her husband by death, andsinco that period has boen suffering from mental depression, and frequently expressed a longing for death that she could be with him. An inquest was held on April 2Ut by Dr. Phileon, coroner. The jury brought in a verdict to the effect that the deceased committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity. A labourer named Neil Johnson, living at Alicetown, Lower Hutt, Wellington, hanged himself on Saturday morning, the 18th of April. At the inquest nothing was adduced to show the cause of the suicide, but accused was addicted to drink, and had been despondent since his wife left him somo 3i years ago. A verdiot of " Committed suicide while temporarily insane" was returned.