The Suicide of Mr Gurr.

Southland Times, Issue 9343, 8 October 1886, Page 2

The Suicide of Mr Gurr.

(By Telegraph.) Auckland, Oct. 6. Regarding the death of Mr Gurr, Dr Eueon has made a statement in which be states that he waa the first to tell Qurr 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 tronbles. Gurr called upon Dr Euson the night before, when be saw a great cbaoge in him, caused by the publication of the charges against him. Gurr told him he had net slept for several nights, and declared his mind waa unbing6d. When advieed to face the charge Gurr said : "What further punishment 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 in this way ?" Gurr wished Dr Euson to draw the attention of the Education Board to the fact that the children alleged to have made the charges had continued to attend the school without a murmur. Hia last words to [Dr Euson were : " Before God, I am innocent in thougtit, word, and deed of any wrong action to these children." Previous to visiting Dr Euson Gurr made hia will. Hid 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 Mulgan, hhurch of England clergyman, Onehunga. She was greatly shocked on learning that he had destroyed himself. She states that her father had never told his family of the charges which had been preferred againßt 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." Gurr retained 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 Onehnnga from Chrißtchurch fifteen moaths ago, and was formerly teacher at Invercargill and inspector of schools at Christchurch. Oct. 7. At the inquest on Gurr, head teacher of Oaehunga School, the verdict returned vvas one of " temporary insanity." No new facts were elicited.