DEATH AT MATAURA

Southland Times, Issue 19434, 24 December 1924, Page 6

DEATH AT MATAURA

A CASE OF SUICIDE. EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. A Coroner’s inquest was held at Mataura on Monday afternoon relative to the death of Mr R. O. Hamilton (which took place on Sunday last) before Mr A. Martin, District Coroner.

The evidence given at the inquest was on the lines of what appeared in yesterday’s issue of the Ensign.

The evidence of James W. Hamilton, a brother, was to the effect that deceased had been in bad health for fully two years. He had consulted Dr Lyth of Dunedin, with the result that he went to Otago Central and engaged in rabbiting work. He came home about four months ago. His health did not improve, and he was unable to get work, which caused him to worry a good deal. The deceased was very sensitive and quick tempered. There was nothing in deceased’s demeanor lately to cause witness any anxiety or to show that deceased contemplated terminating his life. While in Central Otago he used a good deal of strychnine for poisoning rabbits but neither witness nor any member of the family knew he had poison amongst his belonging at home. He showed some anxiety occasionally over the personal habits of a relative, and perhaps that, with the worry of illhealth and not being able to get work, caused him to commit the rash act. Deceased left a note in his room addressed to his mother, father, brother and sister as follows: —“Owing to ill-health and great worry I have been forced to take my life; so good-bye all and God bless you.” The letter was not signed, but the note was in his brother’s hand-writing. j Edna Hamilton, in her evidence, stated that she was in the kitchen on Sunday about 12.15 p.m. and her brother was in the scullery adjoining. All of a sudden her brother flew into a passion and witness remarked, “ ‘Oss,’ don’t get into a temper like that.” Deceased replied, “I am fed up with things; I’ll show you what I can do.” He went out of the scullery and evidently went to his box and in a few minutes she noticed her mother struggling with deceased. Witness went out and snapped at the battle containing the poison and emptied it outside. When she returned, deceased said, “I am done for, Edna; I have taken it.” Witness and her mother mixed up mustard and water and administered an emetic. It did not appear to do any good, and witness ran for her brother and Dr Woodhouse. Deceased was moody and quiet all morning, and his fit of temper came over him all of a sudden. He was of a very sensitive nature, and he worried a good deal about being ill and not able to get work. She never suspected he had any strychnine amongst his effects.

Dr Woodhouse, in her evidence, said when she arrived a few minutes after being called she found deceased dead. From deceased’s appearance death was consistent with strychnine poisoning. There was evidence in the room of a bottle containing strychnine and a spoon to which there were adhering strychnine crystals. There was also a glass from which the deceased drank the mixture. The cause of death was paralysis of the muscles of respiration due to the effect of the strychnine. " The Coroner returned a verdict to the effect that deceased met his death by strychnine poisoning, self-administered, while suffering from mental depression brought about by worry and ill-health.