SUICIDE BY POISON

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8783, 13 July 1914, Page 7

SUICIDE BY POISON

WELD-KNOWN CHRISTCHURCH MAN’S DEATH. Press Association. OHRISTQH U-KQH, July 11. Mr J. R. Charlton, a very well known veterinary surgeon who has resided and practised (in Ohffistolmrch for a long time, was found dead this morning. Deceased hoarded at the Shades Hotel for a good many years, and last night he was in tho commercial room, about 11 p.m. There was nothing in deceased's appearance or manner to indicate that he was ,in anything but his ordinary state ; of health, though he had complained of something being wrong with his hack and had said that he would see a doctor. This morning a housemaid at tho hotel, becoming alarmed at . the fact that Charlton remained in . his room longer than usual and did, not reply to calls or raps on tho door, gave an alarm. Mr W. J. Larkombo, licensee of tho Shades Hotel, saw there was something wrong, and reported the matter to the police, and on Constable Packer being sent along to investigate, he found deceased lying on hia bed fully dressed, with his left hand in one pocket. A small battle was standing on a table. Dr Wcstenra was called, and ho oould merely pronounce life extinct. The late Mr Charlton was a married man, and some years ago ho held tho position of lecturer on veterinary science at Canterbury Agricultural College. Subsequently ho held Government positions to inspector of meat, etc., and latterly practised* his profession privately. An inquest was held this, afternoon, and the coroner returned a verdict that deceased committed suicide by taking poison.

Special to the ‘Time#.” CHRISTCHURCH, July 11. The news of tho suicide of “Doo” Charlton, as ho was familiarly known, came as a groat shook/ to sportsmen, among whom he was hflkl in the highest esteem for hoth his professional capacity and his poisonal qualities. His opinion, on veterinary matters was much in request, and it was generally recognised tliat ho w*s very Bound in his profession. The late Mr Charlton graduated from the,'New Veterinary College, Edinburgh,/ in 1887, after a brilliant career as’t student. Subsequently he was fob some time assistant at Bis wick, Newcastle (England), which has 6nc of the largest practices in that part. From there ho joined the Board of Agriculture in Ireland, and was/stationed in /Dublin for six yearn. Hi came to New Zealand under engagement to the Government, and was 1 the first vet. in the Government Service. Ho left that service after two' years, and was afterwards lecturer at Lincoln College. Mr Chariton was honorary vet. to all the racing clubs, and took a Very keen interest in tbs sport. Ho also held a captain’s commission in the New Zealand Veterinary Corps and was attached to the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry.