A CASE OF SUICIDE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2057, 27 July 1893, Page 10

A CASE OF SUICIDE.

An inquest on the body of Nelson Thompson/ who was found drowned in the harbour oil the previous morning, was held on Thursday aft the Wharf ' Hotel before Mr Coroner Carew and ftjury of six. " George Walton gave evidence that he haa , known deceased, Nelson Thompson, 6ince 1863* He believed he was born in County Antrimj and had been in this colony since 1861. Heused to be a gold miner for many years, but foC some years past he had followed the occupation of contractor. He was 54 or' 55 years of age, was married, and had resided at Arrowtown, where his family still reside. Deceased rame to Dunedin about the sth inst., and resided with witness. He came here to get medical treatment for a sore throat. He was to have gone into the hospitaryesterday for treatment. On Tuesday night he remarked to .witness that he might as well be dead, for he could neither sleep nor take any- nourishment, and it was hardly worth his while undergoing an opera- " tion, seeing that the medical men held out so i little hope of hia recovery, "Witaeßß tried to induce him to look at things in a better light,' but he still maintained that ifc was not /worth his while doing so. At 10 o'clock on Tuesday night deceased got up from the sofa and left the house; and he (witness) never saw him alive again. Deceased seemed to be more depressed than he should have been if he had been in his right mind. William Sheeran, a tailor, residing in Stuarfi street, said he was. on the cross wharf yesterday, when his attention was attracted to a body in the water. The arms of the body were hanging over the piles, and the head was just out of the water.' With the assistance of a sailor from the ship Waimate the body was brought to the wharf. It was quite dead, but had apparently not been in the water long. Alexander M'Millan, night watchman on the wharf, said that at about 3 a,m. yesterday he found a hat tied with a boot lace on the lock of the S shed. An envelope was also attached to the lace bearing the N address of " Nelson Thompson, care of „ T. , Lawspn, Gridiron Hotel." Dr Stenhouse also gavo evidence. The jury brought in a verdict to the effect that deceased drowned" himself while temporarily insane.