THE RECENT SUICIDE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 287, 7 May 1914, Page 5

THE RECENT SUICIDE.

INQUEST OPENED. An inquest was opened yesterday, before Mr A. Crooke, S.M., District Coroner, into the circumstances surrounding the death of Spencer Griffiths, of New Plymouth, tailor, whose body was found on Tuesday under circumstances which point to suicide by taking poison. The only evidence taken, wag that of George Griffiths, a 'brother of the deceased, who after formal evidence of identification, said that his brother was some years ago committed to the Porirua Asylum, from which plaoe he was discharged in uly, 1910. During the past week deceased had been unsettled in his mind. He occasionally lhad short attacks of insanity, one of which had occurred on Saturday last, one on Sunday, and another on Monday. In consequence of these, witness had been careful in watching his brother. He was convinced that deceased was in a state of insanity when he took the poison. Describing the finding of the body, witness said that as the result of some-

thing told him by Mr Victor Griffiths, they both hastened to the Esplanade. He left his shop at about five minutes to five, and it was nearly a quarter-past five when they found the body about 200 yards from the baths. Deceased was sitting down in a crouching position, and close besire him were an empty bottle marked "Poison" and a gl.iss. jThc body was taken to the baths, and 'medical aid was sent for. Dr Walker [arrived and administered restoratives,

>ut without success. ■ Deceased passed i way at about 7 o'clock Without recoviring consciousness. Witness did not

know where t)he deceased had obtained the poison. The inquest was then adjourned until this morning.