DETERMINED SUICIDE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2579, 3 August 1895, Page 2

DETERMINED SUICIDE.

A NEGRO SHOOTS HIMSELF. A determined suicide was committed by a man named Gustav Leonard Alexander at Dempsio’s boardinghouse, Taranaki place, yesterday evening. ■!’ Alexander did not put in an appearance at tea time as usual, nild when he returned home at about 7.30 p.m. he was seen to be carrying a gun - under his overcoat. Ho went upstairs to his room, and a few minutes afterwards asked 'for a pen and some paper. Suspicion’ was aroused ■by his manner, and two other boarders/ Messrs Downie and Frame, whoso attention had been called/ went to Alexander’s room and knocked at his door. They also tried to effect an entrance, but; were unable to do so, and it was subsequently found that a box had been placed-against - the door. They, however, spoke tb him from the outside, and in response to their questions ho said he was all right. To their request for admission, ho replied “ Wait a little. 1 ’ Upon which they retired, and sent for Constable J. Foley! ' On his arrival they again went to Alexander’s bedroom. ;He again , said he was all right and would see them in a minute, but, not feeling satisfiedwith this answer, they began to force open the. door. At that moment they hoard a shot fired inside the room, and on entering they saw Alexander lying on the floor with a fearful .wound outlie left side.of. his face. The 'weapon used was a Snider rifle, the bullet from which had entered ■ underneath the chin, tearing away the left aide of the face, destroying the loft pyo, and shattering the bones in the upper.part of the cheek. 1 < • DrJ Teare was at once sent for, and on arrival he dressed the weunds and ordered | the man’s removal to' the Hospital, whither Alexander was conveyed in a cab, accompanied by Dr Teare and- Constables Cameron and. Cassin. ! The injured man struggled violently both. before bffing' placed in the cab and on his way to the Hospital, and great force had to be exerted to keep him in;the 'vehicle. Ho died at the Hospital shortly after midnight. •> Alexander was aiiWest Indian negro, and his age is stated at .about 25 years. He stayed "at Dempsio’s’boardinghouse for the past seven or eight months, and worked on the wharf. Ho was a temperate man find bore an; excellent character. Ho is not known to’ have had; any* trouble, and his fellow-lodgers are‘therefore at a loss to account for finy reason whyTio should taka his life. ; >