ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LV, Issue 8612, 20 November 1906, Page 5

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

A. well-set-up young man, named William Richardson, aged 28 years, who is a general labourer, created a sensation at the Occidental Hotel, Masterton, last evening, by attempting to commit suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. The cause of the trouble appears to be the rejection of the man's suit by a young woman now residing in this town. They had apparently been on friendly terms till a few weeks back, and on Richardson receiving the first intimation that his love was unrequited, he threatened to do for the girl who had aroused his affections. He bought a revolver, but one night, when he was toying with it, the girl seized possession of it. On the present occasion Richardson cam i into to<vn from the Lower Valley, where he had been working at a sawmill, on Saturday last, and has been staying at the Empire Hotel. Having failed in his endeavour to win back the affections of the girl in question, he told some acquaintances, yesterday morning, that he would end his lonely life by cutting his throat with a razor. Later in the day he appeared to recover from this fit of despair, but he relapsed into the same melancholy condition in the evening. He went to an ante-room of the bar of the Occidental Hotel, and unburdened himself of his woes to the barmaid. While her back was turned Richardson drew a razor from his pocket— his friends had noticed he regularly carried a razor in the top vest pocket—and inflicted a gash an inch and a-half long and an eighth of an inch deep, in his throat, just under the left ear. He then fell with a thud on the floor. The police and Dr Cook were immediately communicated with, and Richardson, who appeared to be affected by shock more than by the self-inflicted wound, was unconscious for nearly three-quarters of an hour. He was taken to the Hospital and iept under police surveillance all night.

When the patient awoke this morning his mind appeared to be a blank as to last night's occurrence. He enquired where he was, and what had happened, and even later in the morning he was unable to recall to his recollection what his movements were the preceding evening.

Richardson was brought before Mr L. J. Hooper, J. P., this morning, and was remanded till Saturday morning for quiet treatment, he being still shaky and nervous. The young man has a good reputation for sobriety and industry, and is of a particularly quiet demeanour.