A DETERMINED SUICIDE. Auckland, March 10.
JatMes B. Fairs, 36 years old, clerk in the office of Devore and Cooper, solicitors, Auckland, shot himself through the heart on the lObh inst. in his bedroom with a Martini-Henry rifl?. He had evidently pub his toe on the trigger of the rifle and held the muzzle with his left hand. He left on his dressing table an open letter to his moihar which shows that his mind was completely unhinged. It bore no date and ran as ', iollows :—": — " My dearest mother, — How can I ! explain myself to ycu or thank you for the many i kindnesses you have always shown me through- j out my lifsbime. My life has been a mystery j to me for a very long time past owing to tha facb that I have been harassed and worried &o much. Tha work I have had to do has been fcuo much for me. The responsibility is even greater — far more than I can explain or imagine to deieribs to you. I have been worked and j worried bo death with business worries for a j long time past and have complained about ib ! repeatedly without redress, and have in conse- s aueace stuck to lbs duties as long as possible
I until I have completely broken down and my J i.vind is qnite deranged. My head reels with | <=.ehes aud pains and I have suffered many great j losses i.i mining tpeculations, mainly through j too rmirh wprk to do for others and not having i tiaiG ' rr , attood to my own private affaire. I j cannot sleep at night and am now a ruined man in health and wealth. I can stand it no longer and cannot face the trouble. May God blees you and the family, and help you especially, and forgive me. I leave all to you. My life is insured in the Government Life Insurance office, and there is a small amount to ray credit iv the Savings Bnnk and numerous minj ing shares. My pocket book will show nearly J everything. Again asking God's forgiveness ' »wd yourp, from your loviDg son, good-bye. — i James B. Faiks. P.S. — If the people (so-called • friends) to whom I have advanced sums of j money from time to time had returrjed i same I would Bob have been placed in this j position. If they are men they will speak for j themselves and come to your aid aud assisi tsnea. Tins hai been a failing ot mine. I ha' e ; been imposed apem a-,d could n?rer refuse to ! assist when ssked. IlowfcVtjr, i' v is now too lafce I to mend. — Jami:s " D-'renspd had been for 10 j jears ia ihe employ of Devore ard Cooper. He, ! tva? most ehf-orful while at business yesterday j snd attended to his duties cai'efully. The firm j named have no complaint to make ftgain.tfc hiai, ' and they aro not aware cf anything wroug is his accounts. At thfc i?jqu£hi; a verdipfc of '• Ooinuiittefs suicide while temporarily insaDe" w»3 returned. Evidence was given that his habits of late bad been intemperate. He was a member of the City School Committee and a well-known volunteer. Blarch 11. ! Ib has trar.spired fhat he was threatened wibh tho fcxscuMou cf ji judgment; summons in ! couneoUos-. wi;h the Wfcrdeu'a Court, and an j impendir'g ciilSrulfcy wibii regard to the pmj cbase and rf-sale of mining tharee btoughi; matters t> a climax, and the deceased, who appears to have long since meditated eelfdestruction, had nob the courage to face his troubles.
A DETERMINED SUICIDE. Auckland, March 10.
Otago Witness, Issue 2298, 17 March 1898, Page 23
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