SUICIDE IN DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 930, 27 December 1889, Page 20

SUICIDE IN DUNEDIN.

(per press association.) Dunedin, December 20. George Henrv Ashcroft, stationmaster at Dunedin, shot himself this morning with a Distol. Deceased, who was one of the most popular men in leaves a wife and

three children. It is believed that losses in mining speculations were the cause of the act.

On the verger of St Paul’s Cathedral opening the door early this morning he found Mr Ashcroft lying near the chancel, with a sixbarrelled revolver near him, of which one chamber had been discharged. Ho moaned “Money, money,” but was fast sinking, and expired shortly. after his admission to the Hospital. His friends say that strain of business told on him considerably of late, but there is little doubt that extensive mining speculations, which turned out unfortunate, were the principal cause. His decease has caused universal regret, as in business and private circles he was most widely esteemed. Later. At the inquest on the body of Mr G. H.

Ashcroft, Mr Edgar Ashcroft gave evidence of the deceased being his brother. He was a married man, and left a wife and three children. Mr A. Grant, District Traffic Manager, said he had found the following letter in his desk this morniug :—“ Dunedin, 19th December, ISB9. —Memo, for the District Traffic Manager. Dear Sir, —I hereby tender my resignation as a servant of the Railway Commissioners. I shall be glad also if you will kindly advise the Commissioners that I claim compensation from 22nd January, 1877, to February of the present year.—l have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, Geo. H. Ashcroft.” He v had never spoken about resigning. Witness was afraid there were some discrepancies in his books. He said the private business was mining matters, which ho had got put right. George Esther deposad that he knew deceased intimately. He went by appointment to the Grand Hotel at 6 o’clock last evening. Deceased said he was in serious financial trouble and wanted to ask witness how to get out of it. He owed witness a large sum of money and asked if he was prepared to wait. Witness replied that he was. He told witness that he had been suffering terribly in his head the last few days, and if the pain continued he should almost go mad. He pub hi 3 hand up to his brow, and said, “My God, Esther, if this continues I feel certain that I shall go mad.” Witness asked him if he was in immediate trouble. He said, “Speculations in mining shares,” and witnessed uttered a few words of comfort. He told witness he was certain to make himself safe as he went along. Deceased was looking depressed within the last fortnight, and he heard a rumour that he was mixed up with another gentleman in mining losses. About a week ago witness spoke to him at the station. He told him he had got into some trouble through some partnership in shares. About £4OO was the amount mentioned, but he said that in a little time the shares would be worth the money, and they must wait (meaning the parties to whom the money was due), but hejscarcely knew how he stood. It was not his own business, he had been drawn into it by others in mining matters, bub if they got time be had no doubt they should pull through. Witness could see through the day that he was depressed, but trying to holdup. They parted at 6.10. The jury were then left alone, and after consideration returned a verdict that the 1 deceased died from the effects of a pistol 1 shot fired by himself, and that there are circumstances which lead the jury to conclude i that his mind for the time being was off its i balance. j

[The unfortunate man was the eldest son of Mr G. Ashcroft, formerly manager of the Wellington and Wairarapa line of railway. He was about 35 years of age, and entered the railway service some 15 years ago. He was well known as a very steadv, reliable man. He married a few years ago a Nelson lady.j