ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18204, 25 September 1922, Page 9

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

" A FIT OF TEMPER." "An attempt to conOnit suicide is always a strange matter to contemplate, for if. the act is successful there ie no crime, but if it tails there is one." This remark was made by Mr. Wyvern Wilson. S.M., at the Christchurch Magistrate's Court, when, John Henry Williams, aged 76 years, was charged with attempting to commit suicide. Sub-Inspector J. K. Simpson said the Accused was a married man living with his wiftj and daughter. On September 7, ifter a slight disagreement, with them, he secured a razor, and drew it across his throat, saying, " This is good?bye to the you." Mr. S. E. McCarthy, who appeared Tor the accused, said he was a retired sailing master, and he was very upset about the j death of his son> who was a member ot I tfae crew of the 3 Tamus, which was de- j Btroyed off Cheviot. Williams felt that ho was about to become a burden on his family and in a fit of tonper he decided to kill himself. There was no likelihood of his attempting the act again. The magistrate (to the accused): " You have led an active lifo, and you have had control of other men, so you/ should be able to control yourself." The accused was convicted and discharged. An application to have his name suppressed was refused.