SUICIDE.
The suicide of Mr Harry Hird, bootmaker, George street, was reported to the police this morning, The deceased, who was a widower, about thirty-seven years of ago, slept at the house of Mr Hotton, hairdresser, last night, and shortly before six o'clock this morning was seen going into his own shop by James Williams, a butcher's assistant. In answer to Williams, the deceased explained his early rising was occasioned by his intended departure for Invercargill that morning. When Robert Sainbury, employed by the deceased, went to work at 7.30 he found the place closed, and, having had a conversation with Williams, he went to the railway station, but could see nothing of Hird. He then returned to the shop, and, having effected an entrance by means of a back window, found the deceased hanging by a piece of canvas in the workshop. Dr Copland, who was called in, pronounced life to be extinct. Deceased was a native of Halifax, Yorkshire. An inquest will be held on Monday. -Evening Star, 1/11/1884.
INQUEST.
An inquest was held at the Auld Scotland Hotel to day on the body of Harry Hird, alias Booth, who was found hanged on Saturday morning last. Mr Coroner Hocken presided.
Joseph Smith deposed that he had known the deceased for eight years. His real name was Henry Booth, and he came to the Colony seventeen years ago. Witness had last seen him on Thursday, when he seemed in his usual health and spirits. About eighteen months ago, when the deceased was in difficulties in business, he said that if he had the materials he would commit suicide, and for the last two months bad been very low spirited. Witness considered that for some time past deceased’s mind had been unhinged.
Dr Copland gave evidence as to examining the body of the deceased, and stated that he had met his death by hanging.
Thomas John Hotton, hairdresser, said that deceased had stopped at his house on Friday night. He told witness he was going to Invercargill next morning, and when witness got up deceased had left.
James Williams, butcher, gave evidence as to hearing deceased say he was going to Invercargill on Saturday morning.
Robert Sainsbury, who had been an assistant to the deceased, stated that he came down to work as usual on Saturday morning, expecting to find that his master had gone to Invercargill. When he went to Mr Hotton’s for the key of the shop he found the deceased had it, and on getting into the shop through a window he found the deceased hanging. Witness cut him down, but he was quite dead.
Constable Dwyer stated that he found an envelope in the shop, on which was written: “W. McGill is the cause of this. — H. H.” Deceased had been of intemperate habits lately.
William Wood stated that on one occasion deceased had talked of being tired of his life. He had a bottle of laudanum in his possession at the time, and witness took it rom him.
William Thomas McGill deposed that the accused had stopped with him for some time. Latterly he had become very intemperate and disagreeable, and witness told him he would have to go. Witness had no disagreement with the deceased beyond this. Witness had heard deceased threaten to take his own life.
The Coroner, in summing up, said it was quite certain McGill had nothing to do with the death of the deceased, who had just made one of those rash and unfounded statements peculiar to inebriates.
The jury returned a verdict "That deceased committed suicide while in an unsound state of mind, induced by business difficulties and intemperance." -Evening Star, 3/11/1884.
Harry Hird lies in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.
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