STUMMELL STUMED.

NZ Truth, Issue 118, 21 September 1907, Page 6

STUMMELL STUMED.

TRIES TO SUICIDE IN A STABLE. Is Admitted to Probation,

The form of mental depression induced by too much beer sometimes has tragic results if steps are not taker; to look after the victim. An elderly man named Henry Stummell nearly closed his life's story m a summary manner at Wellington towards the end of last week. He pleaded not guilty on Saturday to a charge of attempted suicide by hanging, but could not give a reasonable explanation for his conduct. According to .Station Sergeant McPhair, the man had heen indulging m excessive drinking, which was the primary cause of the mad act. 'Mrs Rebecca Stummell, the small pathetic wife of the accused, stated that they lived at Constable-street, Newtown, and her husband got home shortly after 11 o'clock on the night m question. He appeared to have a few drinks m, and she : gave him a cup of tea m bed. He did not appear' to be. able to sleep, and he arose later and went outside, remarking,, "'You won't be bothered with me much longer." She was much alarmed

AT THIS OMINOUS UTTERANCE, nnd followed him to the _ stable, where she found him standing; on a box and placing a rope over the rafter. He did not see his wife, who called- her son, and went for the police. Stummell had made a similar attempt on his life before, ahd the unfortunate woman was -m great alarm for his safety. He had been wprried lately, and could not get his sleep, though he -had not been drinking heavily.

William Stummell. tlie son aforesaid, corroborated. His father had had a few drinks, but he did not seem too bad on the night of the occurrence.

The bobby who had been called to the scene said he was accosted by the son. who m reply to a query afcputthe father, said, "Well, I think lie's gone mad." When he arrived at the house the father remarked, "There's nothing wrong ; what are you doing here •?" On the way to the Police Station one of the law guardians asked him, "What were you doing putting the rope over the rafters ?" Stummell. denied any knowledge of a rope, but | subsequently admitted that he hadi thrown a rope over the rafter to dry it.

j Stummell elected to be sworn, and said that on the evening he had gone to the Opera House to ths play. Had bad two or three drinks, and did not feel, too well. At any rate, he couldn't sleep, and as it occurred to him thai; the horse had not b'ee<n fed, he went out to give the animal its' supper. He couldn't find the bucket, and nicking up a rope, he. placed it over a .rafter and GAVE IT ONE GOOD PULL. He then left ths stable, and was just entering his house by the back door when the police arrived.

The Sergeant : Why did you tell your wife you wouldn't trouble her long ? — Because I felt bad.

Accused also stated m cross-examin-ation that he hadn't been drinking a great deal lately, and it was not usual for him to get up at that hour to feed the horse.

Magistrate Riddell doubted if he could accept the excuse put forward by Stummell. In one state, at a-ny-rate, the man was unable to look after himself, and his Worship would call upon him to abstain from intoxicating liqjuors by the issue of a prohibition order. He would also be admitted to probation for twelve months, and during that period he would have to report himself to the police at Newtown every fortnight.