Attempted Suicide at Paeroa.

Thames Star, Volume XXX, Issue 9026, 25 March 1898, Page 2

Attempted Suicide at Paeroa.

MRS FLANNIGAN BEFORE THE

COURT,

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

Paeroa, March 24. At the Police Court yesterday morning, Hannah Atkinson Flannigan was charged with, attempting to commit suicide on the 12th March, by taking phosphorus. Sergeant Brei nan conducted the case for the proseuut on. . William Patterson was called, and deposed that he knew the accused. On the 12th iaet. he saw accused on the river bank:, close to her home. She was lying on a pillow. Witness heard her say she took match heads. Witness j tlien went and informed his father,who immediately came down. W ltness then went for Dr Buckby, To the BeDch : Heard the little girl say Mrs Flannigan took matches, but Mrs Flannigan denied this. To the Police ; Saw some matches without heads picked up near by. This led witness to believe ska had eaten the match heads. Bichard Patterson, contractor, deposed that he saw the accused on 12 th March about noon, lying on the river bank. She> appeared to below spirited and her arms were limp. Witness said : " What is wrong ? " Accused replied : '' I've eaten nine match-heads ; only J i nine." Witness got an emetic of warm | water and salt. After taking four cups of this, accused vomited. Accused smelt strongly of phosphorus, Dr, Buckby was immediately sent for, an<? arrived at once. Witness found eight | matches minus the heads, which he kept and handed to Sergeant Brennan. Identified the matches produced; Accused gave no excusefor her actiou, only saying she was miserable. Witness had some trouble in getting accused to take the emetics ; she said she did not wish to lire. Catherine Patterson, wife of the previous witness, also gave corroborative evidence, adding that accused stated that she was tired of life and miserable, and wanted to die. Witness was present when the matches ware found. Witness assisted in putting accused to j bed. In the evening accused said she I did not see what there was Lo live for j as she was so miserable, and if witness i had not arrived on the scene she would | j have taken more match heads. Ao- j cu3ed seemed determined to die, and was not in a position to be left alone. Dr. A. G. U. Buckby, duly qualifiedmedical practitioner, residing in Paeroa, deposed that he remembered the 12th inst. Hewascalled in to attend accused, who was suffering from phosphorous poisoning. He here described the treatment and stated that accused seemed to be mentally affected at the time. Sergeant Brennan also gave evidence. This closed the case for the police. The accused, who during the case had not asked a question, was then cautioned in the usual manner. | She burst out crying and stated that I she was sorry for what she had done, ; as she had so much trouble she was driven out of her mind: Accused was then committed for trial at the next session of the Supreme Court. Bail was allowed self in £10 and two securities of £10 each. Bail was forthcoming.