SUICIDE IN NELSON-STREET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13214, 27 June 1906, Page 5

SUICIDE IN NELSON-STREET.

BUSINESS MAN SHOOTS HIMSELF.

COMPETITION AND WORRY.

A tragic occurrenco took place in Nelsonstreet shortly after eight o'clock yesterday forenoon, when John McCvac, who for many years had been carrying on an oldestablished coopering business in wuanccrystrect, committed suicide. Deceased was about 38 years ot age, and was a married •man, with five children, the oldest being 14 years, and the youngest four years of age. MeCrae had not risen from his bed. He. killed himself with a revolver, placing the weapon to bis mouth, and inflicting ghastly wounds. "McCrae was much re-, spected for his business* integrity. , It appears that business worry, following cm. keen competition in the coopering trade, was a contributing cause to the committal of the rash deed. . Deceased had complained frequently to his wife and others that the increase in the price of coopering material and labour was making it moro and difficult • for him-fco make a- fair living. He often rose at four o'clock in the morning, and proceeded to work, remaining at the business till late in the evening. His worry had induced a state of insomnia, and for several weeks past he had slept but little. Yesterday morning ... deceased had fallen into a sleep, and he was not awakened till about eight o'clock, when one of his iroung daughters asked him if he would have isome tea in bed,"as he said he was tired. She proceeded to raise the blind, when McCrae said, " Never mind the blind. I don't liko the blind up." The child asked him again if he would have sonic tea, or if ho would get up. Deceased replied, '1 do "not know whether 1 shall get up oi not. I won't have a cup of tea, but a drink of water, and shut the door as you are going out." The water was given deceased. Almost immediately after the child left, the room two list-inert revolver reports were heard. Mrs. MeCrae and family rushed into the room, and found deceased lying on the bed, covered with blood. He was apparently dead, and a smoking revolver was lying beside him. The revolver, on being inspected, was found to contain two discharged cartridges, and two that had not been discharged. Some cartridges were later found on deceased's clothes and at his business premises. It is believed deceased had had the reTolvet >n his possession for about six weeks, and on one occasion was said to have casually mentioned the 'fact to one of the children. His wife spoke to him about it, but deceased declared there was nothing in it, and nothing further had been heard of a revolver. His demeanour had been stiange, and lie appeared to be working under a nervous strain for some time. On Monday evening McCrae returned home in a very tired state, but there was nothing to indicate that he contemplated suicide. An- inquest will be held at eleven o'clock this morning at the Albion Hotel.