VERDICT OF SUICIDE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7869, 3 August 1911, Page 3

VERDICT OF SUICIDE

DEATH OF JOHN LAWRENCE. An inquest concerning, tho death of John Lawrence, an ex-employee of -tho Telegraph Stores, who was found with his throat cut in Edinburgh terrace early on Tuesday morning, was held by Dr McArthur, . coroner, at tho Magistrate’s Court last evening. The evidence given by witnesses was identical with tho report published in yesterday’s "Times.” Thomas -David Bryant, expressman, residing at No. 47, Edinburgh terrace, testified to finding deceased lying outside his fence in a dying condition at 4.25 a.m. on Tuesday. Alexander Russell, dairyman, living at No. 162, Russell terrace, said he saw a man who answered to deceased’s description wandering about Russell terrace at 4.15 a.m. on Tuesday, not far from where the deceased’s body was found. The man seemed to be silly, and asked to be. directed to Boulcott street. Constable J. Willetts gave formal evidence relating to the finding of th© body and a penknife with an open blade, covered with blood, close by* Deceased’s windpipe was severed. The coroner identified the body. Ho said ho had known deceased for many years. Ho was a very capable drill instructor in Auckland at one time. He found that deceased committed suicide whilst temporarily insane.

Deceased was a married man, about fifty-five years of age. Ho was recently a boarder at the Clyde Court Hotel.