TOOK OVERDOSE OF MEDICINE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18466, 18 May 1928, Page 16

TOOK OVERDOSE OF MEDICINE.

DEPRESSED MAN COMMITS SUICIDE. “ That Robert Dorrans died on May 16, by committing suicide while in a state of extreme mental depression, death being caused by an overdose of bromidia,” was the verdict returned by the Coroner (Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M.) at an inquest held at the Christchurch Hospital yesterday afternoon. Dorrans was a middle-aged man, a widower, who boarded at 90, Salisbury Street, Christchurch. He telephoned to a friend and said that he was “ going west.” Later four empty medicine bottles were found in the front garden. Sergeant M. Ilodgens led the evidence for the police. Colin Thorne Ballantyne, draper’s assistant, gave evidence of identification. He said that he had known deceased for about four months. Dorrans had been in the employ of Ballantyne and Co., as a draper’s assistant. Witness last i saw him at his boarding house, 90, Salisburjr Street, at about 3.45 p.m. on Wednesday. Dorrans came out of the bathroom. got into bed and said, “ I have done it.” He did not say how. Previous to that witness had received a telephone message from Dorrans, who said, “ I am going west.” On asking him what he meant, deceased said, “ I am going out.” In reply to the sergeant witness said that Dorrans was very depressed on Wednesday. The Coroner: Was there anything to make him depressed? Had he lost his job?—No. Witness: Deceased had not been at work since Monday. He was worrying about one of his children. Witness said that he searched the garden and found four empty medicine bottles (produced), which he had handed over to the police. Evidence was given by a chemist that a man called at his shop on Wednesday. He wanted seme particular medicine dispensed. Other assistants in the shop detained the man until witness arrived at about 1.45 p.m. The prescription was made up by a doctor. Witness dispensed it and then interviewed the man. The man seemed to be in his right mind and was respectable looking. Deceased asked to open an account, and referred witness to Ballantyne and Co. for a reference. The medicine was bromidia. In reply to the Coroner, witness said that he did not think the contents of one bottle would poison the man, although it would certainly be a big overdose. He thought that four bottles would be sufficient to “ put him out.” Deceased told witness that he would take a teaspoonful as a dos'e. Mary Jones, boardinghouse-keeper, at 90, Salisbury Street, said that Dorrans had been boarding with her off and on for twelve months. During the last few days he had been drinking. Witness heard' him ring up Kir Ballantyne and caught a few words that he was going west.” Deceased showed her some bottles, and ’ she tried to take one, but he said, “ If you get that I have some more.” She rang up Mr Ballantyne and asked him to come at once. When he arrived he summoned a doctor, who arrived a little after 4.30 p.m. . \, Constable J. Horn said that in response to a call from Mrs Jones he went to 90, Salisbury Street. He found deceased unconscious, lying on the bed. He rang for a doctor again. The doctor advised the removal of the man to the hospital, but witness said he would not take that responsibility. The doctor then said that he would come at once, but Dorrans died three minutes before the doctor arrived at 4.45. Artificial respiration was applied without effect. The Coroner then returned the verdict as above-mentioned.