“AT END OF TETHER.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20340, 25 June 1934, Page 8

“AT END OF TETHER.”

Ploughman Commits Suicide at Waikari. That Andrew Barnett Middleton, aged 27 years, committed suicide by taking poison was the verdict returned by Mr 11. A. Young, coroner, at an inquest held at Waikari on Saturday. Evidence was given that Middleton, who was a. ploughman, employed by Mr K. D. Anderson, had given notice last week stating that “ he was at the end of his tether.” He had been absent in Rangiora for two days, returning later on Thursday, June 21. When Mr Anderson saw him on Friday morning Middleton appeared to be ill. A doctor was called, but Middleton collapsed and died. Dr J. B. Page, of Waikari, stated that death occurred soon after he arrived, and there was every indication that it was due to strychnine poisoning. Constable Kenealy, of Waikari, said he had made a search of the dead man’s whare. He found a bottle containing strychnine powder and on a box near the bed a glass containing beer and a considerable quantity of what appeared to be strychnine.