A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 213, 2 September 1908, Page 2

A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.

PROMINENT RESIDENT SHOOTS HIMSELF ARRESTED YESTERDAY ON A SEROUS CHARGE. WOULD NOT FACE PUBLICITY

E. Jardine, a master of the High School, and a man held in high esteem by everyone who knew him, was arrested at 5.30 last evening on a charge of indecent exposure.

He was subsequently bailed out by Iriends, and was to appear this morning at the Magistrate's Court to answer the He subsequently proceeded with his solicitor (Mr. Johnstone) tu his place cf abode on Standish's Hill. He retired to his room after tea. After 12 o'clock a shot was heard in his room.

Mr. Johnstone, who resided ill the same house, rushed into the room to lind Jardine on the lloor in a pool of blood with a revolver by his side. He was fully dressed.

Dr. McDiarmid, who was sent for, was immediately on the scene, but loan I that he could do nothing, as Jardine was beyond the reach of human help. The body was afterwards removed to the morgue. Deceased had been connected with the local High School for about a couple of years, lie was, we understand, formerly associated with the teaching stalf of Hie Wanganui Collegiate School. lie had previously been in llawke's Bay, where lie was interested in sawmilling. lie belonged to a highly respected English family, and was a man of considerable erudition. lie had private means, and took to teaching more as a hobby than as a means of livelihood. Ho was about 50 years of age. As a teacher he was very successful and highly thought of, both by his confreres and pupils, as well as by his friends.

An enquiry into the sLicide 'will probably be held to-day.