DETERMIND SUICIDE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7688, 8 October 1886, Page 1

DETERMIND SUICIDE.

. Auckland, October G. Mr John Gurr, head -master of the Onelmnifa State School, was found drowned this morning at Mangure bridge over an arm of tl'e MunukiUi harbour. It is evidently a case of determined suicide, as a rope was tied round the body and fastened to a pile of the bridge, the body thus being dragged under by the rush of the tide. Grave charges of misconduct with a female pupil at the school were pending against Gurr, and this, it is supposed, led him to commit the act. He was an elderly man with five children, had high musical as well as educational ability, and was chairman of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Teachers' Institute. Later. An inquest regarding the death of Gurr will be held to-morrow. l)r Euson has made a statement in which he states that he was the first to tell Gurr of the serious charge against him and he appeared stunned at the news. He thinks Gurr was a man deficient in moral courage and that is why he sank under his troubles. Gurr called upon Dr ICuson the night before last, when he saw a great change in him, caused by the publication of the charges against him. Gurr told him he had not slept for several nights and declared his mind was unhinged. When advised to face the charge Gurr said: "What

furtber puuishment could have been meted out to me. even if guilty, than to have the thing published throughout the colony as a flagrant charge; and after building up a reputation like mine to be blasted this way J" Gurr wished Dr Euson to draw the attention of the Education Board to the fact that the children alleged to have made the charges bad continued to attend the school without a murmur. His last words to Dr Euson were:

"Before God, I am innocent in thought, word, and deed of any wrong action to these children." Previous to visiting Dr Euson Guvr made his will. His daughter usually brought his breakfast to him, but on entering his room this morning she found he was not there, and discovered a letter addressed to the Rev. Mr Mnlgan, Church of England clergyman, Onehunga. She was greatly shocked on learning he had destroyed himself. She states that her father had never told his family of the charges which had been preferred against him. In the letter addressed to the Rev. Mr Mulgan deceased said, "Look after my children and break the news gently to my family. Look near the little bridge." Gunretained Mr Button last week to defend him. He told a friend when his, wife went South that having got rid of her he would fight it out in the Supreme Court. One of deceased's sons is in business in Parnell and another is "in the Government Insurance office at Wellington. Gurr was transferred to Onehunga from Christchurch 15 mouths ago,and was formerly teacher at Invercargill and inspector of schools at Christchurch.