SCHAFER, THE GERMAN TRAVELLER, ATTEMPTS SUICIDE:

Colonist, Issue 1165, 4 December 1868, Page 2

SCHAFER, THE GERMAN TRAVELLER, ATTEMPTS SUICIDE:

The Neto Zealand Herald, of November 10, sa^ys : —" It would seem that the troubles of the unfortunate little German traveller, Mr. Schafer, have affected hi s spirits to such an extent that life itself has become a burden to him. His Thames difficulties -will be fresh in the minds of many of our readers, and perhaps they have been the cause of the rash act which Mr. Schafer attempted yesterday. For some time past this renowned individual lias taken up his abode at the Auckland Hotel, and his general conduct, at all times extremely eccentric, at last became rather;butrageous. OnSunday evening we learn that he made an abortive attempt to choke himself, having been frustrated in his attempt by some bystanders, after which he rushed out into the nighfc, and was next discovered by the police upon the wharf in a very excited condition, and in possession of a dagger, with which he was apparently studying ' Ajax defying the lightning.' He was disarmed and taken to his hotel, where be remained apparently in hia right mind. Yesterday afternoon, however, Constable Clarke was suddenly called from his beat in Queen-street to the CustomHouse "Wfrffrf, by a person named-Farrell, and on proceeding'thither found Mn Schafer in a -very exhausted condition, having'jusfc been extricated,from the water by two seamen. ,He had, it appears, been observed by them purposely to jump into the water and endeavor to drown himself, and they, with laudable promptitude, at once leaped in after him and succeeded in dragging him out, although not until he had been partially suffocated. The unfortunate, man. was taken at once to the Thames Hotel, and brandy was administered. Tn the meantime a messenger was despatched for Dr. Nicholson. That gentleman, upon his arrival, applied the usual restoratives, and Mr. Schafer began to recover his strength, and was finally rolled up in blankets and conveyed on a stretcher to the police station. Here he, was'detained in order to give an account of -his extraordinary proceedings. Several papers have been discovered in the poar man's pockets which have been taken charge of by the Commissioner of Police, and from the tenor of some of .them we understand that the traveller must have seriously contemplated self-destruction. Doubtless some means will be adopted for his safe keeping in future."

Schafer was brought before theKesident Magistrate at Auckland, on November 10th, charged with attempting to commit suicide. The Bench was of opinion that from the evidence brought forward it would not he right to allow the prisoner to go at liberty, as he might do injury either to himself or others. He must therefore find two sureties of £50 to be of good behavior for the next six months, and failing that he would have to be confined in her Majesty's Gaol for a period of six months. The prisoner said ho had lost all his money, he had no friends, and could not therefore find the necessary sureties. —

The Southern Cross, of November 13th, states :— "Mr. Schafer, the German traveller, has been released from durance vile. As we anticipated, art haa been made on his behaif to raise a sum of money sufficient to defray his passage to his friends in Melbourne. Messrp. Petsoliler and Morrin have become sureties in the sum of £50 each for Mr. Sohafer's good -behaviour for the next six months, and the formei1 has provided the unfortuate German with a home until an opportunity offers to send him to Melbourne by the Hero. Mr. Schafer is; said to be in poor health, and, having been accustomed to an outdoor life, it was feared that confinement would kill him!"- ■ ;- ■:■!■■.< ■ ..■■.'!