Suicide.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5192, 24 December 1884, Page 4

Suicide.

■ ♦ — : — Yesterday afternoon a man named William B. Kidman committed suicide at the Roya.l George Hotel, corner of the East Belt and St Asaph street. The deceased, who was about 30 years of age, went to the hotel on Monday afternoon, stating that he wanted to stop there, and that he was recovering from the effects of a week's "spree." His subsequent conduct proved that his mind had evidently been unhinged by his debauch. He was quiet enough, but about 5 o'clock yesterday morning he asked for a horße to .go for a ride, but his request not complied with. About three in the afternoon, he asked Mrs Collier, wife of the licensee, for two cups of cocoa and a dozen blankets, saying that he wanted to sweat himself. Mrs Collier was unable to give him what he wished, and ho went upstairs to his room. About an hour afterwards, Mr Collier, senior, father of, the landlord, hearing a strange sound in ( the room, went inside, and found Kidman lying on the bed, grasping a pocket-knife in his hand, and bleeding from a wound in the throat. Mr Collier tried to take the knife from him, but though almost at the last gasp, he resisted, striking with the weapon. Assistance was soon forthcoming, and Dr Cotterell was sent for, but shortly after, and before the doctor arrived, the unfortunate man died. An inquest will be held.