DEATH AT ST. KILDA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19513, 23 June 1925, Page 4

DEATH AT ST. KILDA.

PRELIMINARY INQUIRY. Shortly after 6 o’clock yesterday morning a man named James M’Nicol was found in the tram shelter at St. Hilda in a farspent condition. Ho was in great pam. On the seat of ihe shelter was a bottle containing strychnine and also a glass. When spoken to, ho said ho came trom Waimate last week, and had stayed at the Leviathan Hotel. Ho said he had come out to kt. Ivilda tho prc\ ious and had taken a drink of some white stutf, adding. “It’s there in the bottle. Asked what it was, he said, “It used for killing bunnies.” He also said ho know of no relatives in New Zealand, but he knew Alexander Maxwell, of tho ‘Star Motors, Dunedin.” The man was removed in the ambulance to tho Hospital, but died cm the way to that institution at 6.50 a.rn., and the body was removed to the morgue. Deceased left tho following letter: —Just a lino to sav good-bye to you, as I am afraid 1 shall never see you again. I am troubled with violent pains in my head again, and I have' decided to cure myself permanently and put an end to my suffering for all time. lam leaving you what few belongings 1 have, and I hope you will forgive me for tho step I have taken. _ I have been charged with a serious crime, of which I am absolutely not guilty, and in duo course of time you will bo notified of its nature. As I write these lines to you I can. only say that if tho great God above should strike me down this minute I am an innocent man charged and accused wrongfully. There is some baggage left at the railway station which you will got by producing the enclosed ticket. Also, there are two suitcases at the leviathan Hotel, which voir will be able to get, and niv handbag that I have with me. You \yiil write to Lawrence P.O. and get some sporting prints that arc to be sent there for me, and I hope you will keep them sacred. You will find my discharge papers and different other papers of my rank and name and regiment. Number 7/374 C.M.R. Ido not care to come around and see you, and I think it will bo the better plan after the stop I am taking. Hoping you will forgive me for my rash deed. —I remain, your sincere friend, James M/Nicol.

The. letter was dated June 20, and apparently had bean written at the Returned Soldiers’ dub rooms, Dunedin. A postscript states: “My military overcoat is at Mitchell’s Empire Hotel, Waimate.”

An inquest was hold by Mr IT. W. Bundle, 8.M., acting us coroner, concerning the circumstances of M'Niool’s death, only preliminary evidence being taken. Alexander Maxwell, garage employee, residing in Valley road, identified tho body as that of Janies M'Nicol. Deceased was. as far ar. witness know, a widower, and a farmer by occupation. Witness had been with him during the war, and had seen him on different occasions since in New Zealand. He had been under treatment for a few months for injuries to his head, tho result of a motor accident. Witness saw deceased alive on Friday evening when he (deceased) called to see him at tho garage. He often did that when in Dunedin. In tho course of conversation deceased had complained of pains in the head, but had made no suggestion of suicide. Deceased was naturally of a bright disposition, and witness had noticed no change in him on the Friday. Constable Hall, who received a call to St. Kiida, deposed as to finding deceased lying on the floor of the shelter at the tram terminus. Deceased was taken to tho Hospital in the ambulance. Constable Smith gave corroborative evidence as to finding deceased in the tramways shelter shed. The inquest was then adjourned in order that further inquiries might be made into tho matter.