SUPPOSED SUICIDE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7868, 2 August 1911, Page 1

SUPPOSED SUICIDE

MAN POUND WITH HIS THROAT GUT.

INQUEST TO-DAY.

John Lawrence, an ox-employee in tho Telegraph Stores, was reported to have cut his throat with a penknife in Edinburgh terrace early yesterday morning. About 4.30 o’clock Thomas David Bryant, an expressman residing

at No. 47, Edinburgh terrace, heard somebody moaning outside his window, and found a iran lying on his back beside the fence, with a severe cut in his throat and covered^with blood. H© was alive, but was unable to speak. Bryant went to inform the police, and when ho returned about twenty minutes later the man was dead. Sergeant Matheson and Constable Goss arrived about 5.20 o’clock and removed the body to the morgue. Police inquiries have elicited that the deceased was seen and spoken to by Alexander Russell, a dairyman, ; about 4.15 n.m. He asked Russell the way to a place in Boulcott street whore ho said he resided, and after Russell had given him the necessary directions j he -wont away. In .Russell’s opinion deceased did not seem to be in his right mind, but ns he wont as Russell directed him ho did not think it necessary to further interfere. Constable Willetts, who made n search in the vicinity, found a doublebhuled pocket-knife, with the small blade (which wns very sharp) open and covered with blood, Lawrence is stated to have left the stores about throe or four months ago. Ho was an expert in -physical culture, and is believed •to have conducted classes in Auckland some years ago. An inquest, will be held to-day.