Inquest at Carterton
A coroner’s inquest was held at Carterton on Tuesday, before Dr Spratt and a jury of six, ol which Mr R. Fairbrothar was foreman, on the body of Charles Heroock, aged 75, who was foumi drowned in the Manngatarere River (or creek) on Saturday afternoon last. Mrs Margaret Hereook, wife of the deceased gave evidence as to her husband having left home at 2.30 a.m,, Saturday, the last time she saw him. Witness said she first noticed that he was peculiar in his actions on the day (Friday) previous. He had made a will ou the Monday before. They were married on the doth December in Wellington ; he had threatened to destroy himself with ft knife after ho made his wilt ou the Monday previous to his death ; and from that time until the day he was found drowned he had been very unsettled in his mind.
John Ca.lister gave evidence that he found the body lu about 1 .;r ol water while visiting the creek with the intention of bathing ; he, with the assistance of his brothei, drew the body from the cieek ; the body was covered witii crawfish ; after draw iog the body from tire creek, he sent for (.'.instable r>
Dr Johnston adduced that ho was culled to see the body on Saturday night last ; it nad two cuts behind the left ear ; found no external marks ol violence sufficient to cause death Had attended Mr Hercock recently, he had a suicidal tendency and hud acquainted deceased’s friends with that D ■>•. Marriage at deceased’s time of life would have the effect of making his condition worse.
Mr T Moore gave evidence. He said he hut noticed recently that deceased wandered much in his mind, he seemed to regret bis recent marriage and also having made a will, and wished to alter it.
Herbert Hart gave some immaterial evidence, and the Coroner having summed up the jury returned a verdict—That Charier Hercock committed suioide by drowning in e creek near Dalefield road, Carterton, on the Bth of January, 1887, while in a state of unsound miud,
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIST18870112.2.8
Bibliographic details
Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2016, 12 January 1887, Page 2
Word Count
351Inquest at Carterton Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2016, 12 January 1887, Page 2
Using This Item
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.