Attempted Suicide.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4712, 2 August 1893, Page 3

Attempted Suicide.

An attempt t> commit suicide was made this morning, about 5 a.m., by a resident of North Btreefc, St Albane, named Maurice Smitb. He endeavoured to take his life by inflicting wounds on his head with a tomahawk. He had been in bad health for the last three months, and wag a victim to heart disease. The severity with which he w*s attacked by thii dißeaae had forced him to leave work, and the doctors had held out no hope of his recovery. The knowledge that he would never get better preyed on his mind. For the last; two nighta he had not gone to bed, and hia wife, fearing some calamity, had sat np with him. About four o'clock this morning she asked him to try and get some rest, and he sought his bed. The wife fell asleep, but soon awoke, hearing ano : se in the room outside. Going out she Baw her husband sitting on the floor with blood flowing from wounds, in his head. He was grasping a tomahawk in both hands an! striking his forehead with the edge. The wife seized the toina-' hawk and called for help, which was forthcoming, and the man \ra.a lifted into bed and his head bandaged. He now licb in afearful condition, apparently quite insane* and dangerous to himself. Dr Stewart waa called in and attended to the wounds. The doctor states that the man's injuries are not likely to prove fatal.