HAWERA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 4065, 12 June 1882, Page 2

H A W E RA.

[telegraphed by our correspondent.] June 12. — George McKay, aged 23 years, carpenter, who was lodging at * Kirk'a Hotel, got out of bed at 8 o'clock this morning, and deliberately cut his throat. The windpipe and arteries are severed, and, in fact, his head is only held on his shoulders by the vertebrae. Death ensued in three minutes. His mate, who was sleeping in the same room, endeavored to snatch the razor from him, but was too late. McKay only arrived from Glasgow per s.s. Westport, and since then he has worked for Ewing, sawmillers, at Wellington. From a letter written to deceased by his sister, it would appear that he had a friend in Wellington named Grant. McKay was a very sober man, but subject to fits of melancholia, the only attributable cause for committing suicide being what he considered his incapacity for work. [from another correspondent.] George McKay, a carpenter, 23 years of age, and a native of Glasgow, committed Buicide yesterday by cutting his throat. He was living at Kirk's Royal Hotel. His mate, H. Bergin, slept in the same room, and waa awoke by hearing groans. On looking up he observed McKay with a razor in his hand cutting his throat. Before Bergin could wrest the weapon, the suicide's design had been accomplished. The head was nearly severed from the body, and was only held by the spinal column. The deceased had been working at the Egmont Sash Factory, but left a week ago, as he was considered too slow. This would appear to have preyed on his mind. He exhibited moodiness and melancholy for the last few days. Mackay was very abstemious. He only arrived from Scotland in the steamer Westport seven months ago. An inquest will be held to-day. The jury in Mackay's case returned a verdict that deceased took his own life whilst labouring under temporary insanity.