Alfred Goldsmith, (1847-1/5/1877). "I heard a loud row"

Alfred Goldsmith, of Caversham, committed suicide yesterday morning by hanging himself with a clothes line on his bedroom door.  -Evening Post, 30/4/1877.

INQUEST.

Mr Coroner Hocken and a jury of twelve, of whom Edward Holmes was appointed foreman, held an inquiry at the Hospital today touching the death of Alfred Goldsmith. The following evidence was taken:-

Theresa Maria Goldsmith: The deceased, who was my husband, was named Alfred Goldsmith. We lived at Kensington, and had been married about three and a half years. My husband was a laborer, and a native of Sussex. He was about twentynine years of age at the time of his death. He was not at work last Saturday, owing to the rain, but stopped at home and did odd jobs about the house. On the Friday evening he seemed very low-spirited, and I fetched some beer, some of which he drank and then went to bed. On Saturday evening he went to the store, and on returning to the house asked me if I would have some brandy. I replied “Yes," and he went and fetched a shillingsworth, of which he drank about a third. He afterwards gave me a pound note and told me to get a bottle of brandy, adding, “Don’t spend all the pound.” I did not see him take any of the brandy from the bottle, but I had some and then went to bed. This was about twelve o’clock. He shortly afterwards came to bed, and kissed me, saying “God bless you.” This was his usual custom, and I did not then nor during the whole of the Saturday notice anything peculiar about him — he was apparently in his ordinary health and spirits. On Friday he was low-spirited, but I have seen him like that before, though I did not knew the reason. About two years ago he was sitting looking at some trees, when he remarked to me, “Theresa, what a fine tree that would be for a man to hang himself on.” I said, “Alfred, what would your father and mother think of you if they heard you speak like that.” After I had been in bed some time — I cannot say how long — I was awoke by hearing a great noise, and, on looking up, saw mv husband hanging by a rope round his neck to the bedroom door, which was half-open. He was struggling and making a noise. His feet were some inches from the floor. I jumped out. of bed and screamed out, “Oh God! Alfred,” and then cut the rope and let him fall on to the floor. He was not sensible then, but was breathing. I then ran to Mrs Miller and Mrs Attywell and told them what had occurred, and someone went for Dr Cowie, but before he came life was extinct. When I cut deceased down I rubbed his body to try and do him some good. I know of no cause why he should commit suicide. He was a very temperate man. Sometimes I take a little drop too much, but that would not depress the deceased — indeed he would have been the first to give it to me. There was a little case, which was used as a seat, near his feet when I saw him hanging. — To a juror: Deceased was my second husband, and I have no children by him, but we lived very happily. 

Elizabeth Attywell; I live at Kensington, next doer to Mrs Goldsmith’s, Between one and two o’clock yesterday (Sunday) morning I heard a loud row going on in Mrs Goldsmith’s house. There was no one in their house but themselves. In about an hour afterwards I heard some noise as of a body falling on to the floor, and immediately afterwards Mrs Goldsmith came and screamed out, “Murder; my husband has hanged himself.” I went with her into the house, and saw the deceased bolstered up with pillows against the bedstead. The rope was hanging to the door, and a brandy box was behind it, with a lighted candle on it. I saw the mark of the rope on deceased’s neck. Mrs Goldsmith was talking incoherently to the deceased, who was not then dead. He lived for some minutes after I went into the house, but was insensible. I rushed out of the house in my chemise, and alarmed the police. I last saw deceased alive at 2 o’clock on Saturday afternoon, when he seemed to be in good health and spirits. Mrs Goldsmith frequently took too much liquor, and had been drinking heavily for a fortnight before this occurrence. Deceased was a very quiet man, and I think he took to heart the intemperate habits of his wife. I always considered him a healthy man, and of sound mind.

Dr Cowie: About five o’clock yesterday morning I was called to see deceased, and upon getting to the house saw him propped up against the bed. Life was extinct, and I should think he had been dead about an hour. There was a deep mark on the right side of the neck, apparently caused by the pressure of the rope. So far as I could judge Mrs Goldsmith was sober.

Elizabeth Miller, a neighbor of Mrs Goldsmith’s, said: Between nine and ten o’clock on Saturday night I went in to Mrs Goldsmith's The deceased came in bringing a number of articles among which was a shillings-worth of brandy, which his wife had told him to fetch. Mrs Goldsmith had some of the brandy, which she ordered her husband to give to her. She was a woman of intemperate habits, and ordered deceased about like a dog. I saw Goldsmith at about one o’clock on Sunday morning, when he was perfectly sober and in good health. I then went to bed, and some time afterwards was awakened by hearing Mrs Goldsmith screaming out that her husband had hanged himself. I thought she was under the influence of the drink. Deceased had not a very happy life with his wife, who used to tell him to go up country and get out of her sight, and all sorts of things. 

Constable O’Brien, stationed at Kensington: At twenty minutes past four yesterday morning Mrs Attywell called at the station, and said that Mr Goldsmith had hanged himself. I went across to the house immediately, and saw deceased sitting on the floor of his bedroom with his back leaning against the side of the bed. I saw that he was not quite dead, as his eyes were moving, but he was insensible and breathing very slowly. He was undressed, and had nothing on but his shirt and flannel. I looked at the door which was pointed out to me as the one from which the body had been cut down, and saw the rope produced (a piece of threestrand stuff about the size of an ordinary clothes-line) suspended from it. A loop was hanging over the top of the door, and a part of the rope which had been cut off was lying on the ground. The knot by which the line was hitched was drawn tight, as if a heavy strain had been put upon it. I have known deceased for about three weeks. He was a quiet, inoffensive man; but his wife was of drunken and dissolute habits. 

The Coroner: There seems to be no reasonable doubt but that the deceased committed suicide by hanging himself, and the question therefore for you, gentlemen, to decide is whether or not he was temporarily insane at the time the deed was committed. The evidence is to the effect that he was a man of quiet, sober habits, but I question whether the conduct of his wife — who, it has been shown, was addicted to drink — was not enough to drive him temporarily mad, and to cause him to embrace any means of getting rid of the misery into which her excesses plunged him. I think that a verdict of temporary insanity would be the most charitable and just one that you could return.

After a short deliberation the jury unanimously found “That deceased committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity" and the Coroner thereupon called Mrs Goldsmith into the room, and, after explaining to her the verdict, admonished her in a few well-chosen words to abstain in future from drink, which had been the cause of so much misery to herself and the means of bringing her unfortunate husband to an untimely end.  -Evening Star, 30/4/1877.

Alfred Goldsmith lies in an unmarked grave in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.

Ah Wong, (1835-24/4/1877). "in his next life"

Please note: the attitudes to Chinese people presented here are those of teir day and a presented as such.  I do not share them.

DUNEDIN. 13th March.

A Chinaman named Ah Wong hanged himself in Stafford-street last night.   -Evening Post, 14/2/1877.

SUICIDE.

Mr I. N. Watt, Acting-Coroner, and a jury of twelve, held an inquest at the Hospital at noon to-day on the body of Ah Wong. 

Wong Ming (whose evidence was interpreted by Wi Yak) deposed that he knew the deceased. He was forty-two years of age, a butcher by occupation, and had been seventeen years in the Colony, Witness last saw him alive at 3 o'clock on Monday afternoon. He was then in a Chinese cabinetmaker’s shop in George street. Witness next saw him hanging by the neck in the house of the Chinese doctor in Flinders Lane, off Stafford sheet. He was quite dead. The paper produced with Chinese characters on it witness found on a table in the house. The writing was by Ah Wong. It stated that he came to the Colony seventeen years ago. He had bad luck and owed too much money. He had no money and was going to die. His parents reared him up as big as he then was and he could not go home to see them. He was afraid to live in Dunedin, and would sooner be a devil than a man. He owed money and could not pay it, but would in his next life. The letter was written to a brother in China. On discovering the deceased hanging, witness gave information to the police, and the body was removed to the hospital. 

Constable Oliver stated that at 11.35 p.m. on the 12th he was informed by the last witness that there was something wrong in the Chinese lane. Witness found the deceased hanging in the door in Chin Sang’s residence. He immediately took down the body and found it was warm. Sergt, Barry then came in, and Dr Cowie was sent for. When he arrived he pronounced life extinct. Deceased hanged himself with the sash produced.

Dr. Cowie deposed that about 11.45 p.m. on Monday last he was called to see the deceased. He examined the body and found life to be extinct. The deceased had probably been dead from an hour to an hour and a-half. 

A verdict of felo de se was returned.  -Evening Star, 14/3/1877.

 We were apprised the other day that a Chinaman, named Ah Wong, having hung himself in Otago, the jury returned a verdict of felo de se. Deceased left behind him an explanation, which ran as follows: — "Came to the Colony 17 years ago, but had no luck and did not make any money. Owed too much money. Having no money, will hang myself and die. My parents brought me up as big as I am now, and I can't go home to see them. If I remain in Dunedin, I am afraid every day, and would sooner be a devil than a man. I owe people money and can't give it to them back. I owe it this time, but next time I live I will pay it. To die is nothing. I have a brother in China to whom I would like this sent." On this philosophical and businesslike statement the jury concluded that deceased was of sound mind. And yet, it is almost certain that if any European had followed Ah Wong's mode of temporarily giving his creditors the slip, and left behind him a similar epistle, the same jury would unhesitatingly, on the evidence of such a letter, have returned a verdict to the effect that deceased committed suicide while of unsound mind. That which is regarded as proof of the Chinaman's sanity, would be regarded as equally convincing proof of madness in a person of European race. Could a greater compliment be paid to Chinese philosophy, or a stronger belief in its genuine and cool-headed character, as contrasted with some other systems, be expressed than that contained in the verdict upon this simple Chinaman, who preferred to be a devil rather than be plagued by Dunedin duns?  -Press, 21/3/1877.

 There must be something honest and conscientious after all about "that heathen Chinee." One Ah Wong recently hanged himself at Dunedin. He left a sort of dying speech and confession in writing before he did the sus per coll business. This document stated "that he (Ah Wong) had come to the colony seventeen years ago. He had bad luck and owed too much money. He had no money and was going to die. His parents had reared him up as big as he then was, and he could not go home to see them. He was afraid to live in Dunedin, and would sooner be a devil than a man. He owed money and could not pay it, but would in his next life." The creed of "Ah Wong" puzzles us. He intended to pay his debts contracted in this world "in the next life." We wonder what he meant by that. Did he mean that by-and-bye be would undergo a process of resurrection and come back from the other world, look up his creditors here and pay them in full — or did he mean that he would expiate his debts by undergoing an extra amount of punishment in "his next life." Poor, unhappy Ah Wong, thy conscience must have indeed been tender to think so much about your debts, when by aid of a silken scarf and a peg in a door you were about to suspend yourself and pay "the great debt of nature." And that all this honesty of intention should be found displayed in the ease of "a heathen Chinee," must put some "whitewashed" Christians to the blush.   -Evening Post, 23/3/1877.

The remains of Ah Wong lie in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.

Alexander Scott, (1849-6/12/1875). "a parting present"

A young man named Alexander Scott committed suicide in Dunedin on Sunday afternoon by cutting his throat with a pocket knife. He had formerly been a bank clerk, but had been out of employment for some time.  -Bruce Herald, 7/12/1875.

LOVE’S TRAGEDY.

Under the above heading the ‘Bruce Herald’ gives the following particular’s of the career of the young man Alexander Scott, who committed suicide in Dunedin on the afternoon of Sunday last:— A considerable time since he left Geelong, Victoria, where his father is a well-known timber merchant, and the owner of considerable property, to fill a position in the Colonial Bank, Dunedin. This he held, esteemed by all who knew him because of his courteous habits and gentlemanly disposition, up to within a few months ago, when, becoming involved in a love affair, in which he was unsuccessful, he rashly sought to drown the pangs of unrequited affection in drink. The result was his dismissal, a climax that only tended still further to exasperate him. His father at first allowed him a very handsome amount to meet his current expanses, L28 monthly it is said, but this was reduced to L16, and for the last two months the remittance, which was paid through an uncle, ceased altogether. Still it is averred he was not in want of money, but was able to pay his way, and he had the prospect of an appointment in the Harbor Department. It is just probable that his loss of employment, and the discontinuance of his allowance, tended to precipitate the fatal crisis. But those who knew him intimately, ascribe his sad fate directly, as well as remotely, to the fact that a young lady, with whom he had long been on intimate terms, and to whom it is believed he was affianced, recently married another. The knife with which he terminated his life was a parting present from an esteemed friend when leaving Victoria, another exemplification of the popular superstition that a sharp-bladed instrument forbodes ill-luck.  -Evening Star, 11/12/1875.

An intimate friend of the late Alexander Scott writes to say that the story that a love affair had something to do with his sad end is a pure invention. The statement published was made on what we believed to be good authority.  -Bruce Herald, 17/12/1875.

Dr Hocken, City Coroner, held an inquest at the Hospital on the evening of the 6th inst., touching the death of Alexander Scott, which had taken place under lamentable circumstances the previous day. — John Robert Cowie deposed that he had known deceased for fourteen years. He was twenty-six years of age, a native of Scotland, unmarried, and had followed the occupation of a clerk. His relations principally reside in Geelong, Victoria. He lodges in the house of Mrs Paget, Howe street, with witness, and of late had given way to excessive drinking, returning home in a state of insobriety almost every morning. On Sunday morning he came to witness's bedroom door, and asked him to get up, but he refused. Deceased again came, and commenced to burst in the door. Witness had a scuffle with him, and knocked him down. He still continued to annoy him; got a stick, and said he would horse-whip him, though they were the best of friends. Witness considered his conduct very strange, and he had a savage, peculiar expression about his eyes. He was evidently labouring from excitement produced by drink, though not drunk at the time. Witness saw nothing more of him until the time he was lying on the bed. Mrs Paget met him at the door after he had come from a walk in the afternoon, and begged that he would go to Mr Scott. The bed-clothes had blood on them, and deceased held up his head to look at witness, who immediately ran for a doctor. Recently he had cried at times, and mentioned that when he was wealthy it was his intention to go to Scotland; also, that his father was coming here in February. — The Jury, at the Coroner's direction, returned a verdict of suicide whilst in a state of temporary insanity brought on by drink.  -Otago Daily Times, 22/12/1875.

Alexander Scott is buried in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.

Jules Lanseigne, (1834-30/4/1875). "my dear Adele"

SUICIDE.

This morning a rumor, which was soon verified, obtained currency through the town to the effect that Mr Jules Lanseigne, woolsorter, had been missing from his residence since the previous day. It appears that yesterday, at about 10 a. m., that gentleman left his house when only partly dressed and having a dressing gown on. He had of late sustained heavy losses in the course of his business, and, it being discovered that on Thursday be purchased strychnine from a chemist in town, his friends became alarmed at his absence. A party started this morning in search, Sergeant Anderson also being sent out. by the police authorities, and discovered the body of Mr Lanseigne in the bush at the back of his house at Caversham, which is that formerly occupied by the late Mr Cantrell. He is supposed to have poisoned himself with the strychnine he purchased on Thursday. Mr Lanseigne, who was French Consul at this spot, leaves a widow and three young children.  -Evening Star, 1/5/1875.

MR LANSEIGNE'S DEATH.

Mr T. M. Hocken, District Coroner, held an inquest on the body of the late Mr Lanseigne, at the deceased gentleman’s house, some distance above Caversham, to-day. The following evidence was given: — 

Adele Lanseigne: I am the wife of the deceased — Jules Eugene Lanseigne. He was fortyone years of age at the time, and a Roman Catholic by religious persuasion. On Friday morning my husband came to me at a quarter to ten, and asked me to have dinner ready at twelve o'clock sharp, so that he might go to town soon after. He then appeared to be in ordinary health. A quarter of an hour afterwards I saw him in the coach-house. About 1 went to tell him to dress for dinner, but could not find him. In a moment I thought he had gone mad and run away, as some weeks ago he appeared to be half paralysed, and his head wandered. He frequently complained of his head being too heavy for his body. The greater part of last week he was very bad and would say to me, “Don’t let them take me away. Keep me here.” He would speak as though there was some one in the room. We were very much troubled with rats, but my husband never told me that he had bought strychnine to kill them last week. That he should do away with his with was the last thing that I should have thought. Being unable to find him on Friday, although assisted by the household in the search I sent for the police and a search party also went to look for him next day. He was found about twelve o clock next day, and was then dressed precisely as when I last saw him. I had wanted to have a doctor for him, but he refused to have midecal advise, saying "No doctor can do any good for my head."

George K Dermer, chemist and druggist Dunedin, deposed that on Thursday eveninSg deceased purchased some strychnine from him, saying that he wanted it for the rats which were destroying his apples. He gave him fifteen grains, a receipt for which is signed in poison book now produced. Witness appeared to be very agreeable and pleasant. On Thursday deceased seemed to be more gay and lively than usual. 

Robert B. Wilson, baker, Caversham, deposed that on Saturday morning last a search party was formed to look for Mr Lanseigne, who, it was reported, was missing. Witness, after searching for a few minutes, found him lying at the outskirts of the bush near his garden. The body was lying quite exposed. He was then quite dead. A cup with half a teaspoonful of transparent liquid, and also an empty bottle, were lying by his side. [The cup and bottle were here produced.] I did not taste the liquid. By his side was also found a piece of paper marked “Strychine — poison.” [Mr Dernier identified the label as that which he gave to deceased on Thursday night.] 

Constable Carter, who saw deceased immediately after his body was found, also gave evidence as to the finding of the things enumerated by last witness. On searching the body he found the three letters now produced in his left-hand coat pocket. One was addressed to Madame Lanseigne, one to his brother, Emile, and one to Mr W. B. Davis. (The two first were translated by Mr L. Court, who appeared very much affected in reading them.) That addressed to his wife ran thus: “My dear Adele, I am mad. When you receive this letter I believe I shall be out of this world. I had hoped to have had time to see to everything before my position would be opened to the public, but I cannot bear the idea of being brought before a court of justice. Please God to pardon me, but I kill myself to try to save you from misery. Go back to France with the dear children.” In the letter addressed to Mr Davis, he said: “I leave everything to your hands, and what you may get from my life insurance, or in future, I leave to my children.” 

W. B. Davis, commercial traveller, had known the deceased for about twelve years. Witness last saw him on Thursday. He was then very excited, in consequence, as he told witness, of being unable to meet certain bills which were due. Although troubled in business for the past twelve months, he was one of the last men who witness would have thought would have committed suicide.

Louis Court gave similar evidence. In talking to deceased at witness’s hotel last Thursday evening, they referred to the proposed Masonic Ball to be given to the Governor, and witness remarked that deceased had had too much drink. Deceased replied that his head was affected, but not by drink. 

The jury, in accordance with the Coroner’s instructions, returned a verdict that deceased died from strychine, taken while in a state of temporary insanity. 

We understand that the deceased gentleman’s life was insured for L1,000. His funeral, which will take place to-morrow, will be attended by the Masons, who will appear in full regalia. The funeral service will be read by the Ven. Archdeacon Edwards, in accordance with Mrs Lanseigne’s wish, and the body will be interred in the Church of England cemetery. It is proposed that the cortege shall leave the Masonic Hall, and a meeting of Masons will be held at Court’s Hotel to-night, to finally arrange for the burial. The Masonic services will also be performed at the grave, and four Masons will act as chief mourners.  -Evening Star, 3/5/1875.

Burial in the Church of England Cemetery was presumably due to the Catholic tradition of refusing burial in consecrated ground to suicides.

FUNERAL OF M. LANSEIGNE.

The remains of M. Lansiegne were borne from the Masonic Hall to their final resting place in the Church of England cemetery this afternoon, the Masons attending in full regalia. The procession, which extended from Jetty to Rattray streets, was formed as follows; Masons — Celtic Lodge, 16; Port Chalmers Marine 8; Saint Andrew’s, 14; Lodge Otago 11; Royal Archmen, 11; Lodge Kilwinning (to which the deceased gentleman belonged), 30; hearse and eight pall bearers, also masons; mourning coach with Master Lanseigne and Messrs W. B. Davis, Maish, and Park as chief mourners, general public, vehicles, etc. At the grave the funeral service was performed by the Rev. Mr. Martin and the Masonic service by Mr. V. Pyke,. P.W.G.M,. (Scottish Const.) who stated that the service was performed in conformity with the established rule, and at the request of the deceased. The masons were there to prove their inviolable attachment to him.  -Evening Star, 4/5/1875.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

Francis H. Malloch, (1836-28/8/1870). "late a clerk"

 MAYOR'S COURT.

This Day (Before his Worship the Mayor, and E. B. Cargill, Esq., J.P.) 

DRUNKENNESS. John Harrison and Archibald Bannatyne were each fined 5ss, and Francis H. Malloch, who did not appear, had his bail forfeited.   -Evening Star, 16/8/1870.

FUNERAL NOTICE. 

THE Friends of the late Francis H. Malloch are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the Cemetery. The Funeral to move from his late residence, Maitland street, THIS DAY, at 3 o'clock.

J. & SPICER, Undertaker, George street, near Red House.  -Otago Daily Times, 30/8/1870.

An inquest was held at Crone's Hotel, Maitland street, yesterday afternoon, on the body of Francis H. Malloch, aged 34 years, and late a clerk in the Bank of Otago, who was found dead in bed on Sunday at noon. It appeared that he had purchased an ounce of laudanum from Mr Reid, chemist, on Saturday last. Dr Alexander, who made the postmortem examination, said he was unable to detect the presence of laudanum in the stomach, as decomposition had set in, but from the general appearance of the body, coupled with the evidence he had heard, he came to the conclusion that the deceased had poisoned himself by taking laudanum. The jury returned a verdict of "Self destruction."  -Otago Daily Times, 30/8/1870.

Francis Malloch was presumably buried in Dunedin's southern Cemetery, but the Council records contain no mention of him.

Henry Mahen, (1818?-23/7/1868). "not able to pay for a bed"

 

A man named Henry Mahen, hanged himself yesterday morning, at the Universal Hotel, Maclaggan street. Mahen was staying at the public house, and at one o'clock yesterday morning, he was lying on a sofa in the dining-room, where he had been in the habit of sleeping, as he was not able to pay for a bed. At seven o'clock, the landlord found the poor fellow hanging by a piece of thin cord, which had been knotted to the balusters of the stairs. He was quite dead. — The deceased was about 50 years of age, and a native of Jersey. He was sober, when he was last seen alive; but during the last two months, he was three times in custody for drunkenness.  -Otago Daily Times, 27/7/1868.

The Acting Coroner, Mr W. D. Murison, held an inquiry yesterday at the Hospital, into the cause of the death of Henry Mahen. Thomas Pavelitch, proprietor of the Universal Hotel, said the deceased had been lodging at his house. He saw the deceased at one o'clock on Sunday morning lying asleep on the sofa, and about seven o'clock observed him apparently sitting on the stairs. Upon examination he found that Mahen was dead, and there was a rope round his neck, which was suspended from the balustrade of the staircase. George Cenrick stated that he had seen the deceased at half-past four on Sunday morning on the stairs, and had asked him why he did not go to bed, but receiving no reply, had gone away. Constable Keligher described the position in which the body was when he had been called in. The medical evidence was to the effect that death was caused by strangulation. The jury found that the deceased had committed suicide while in a state of temporary in. sanity.  -Otago Daily Times, 27/7/1868.

Henry Mahen lies in an unmarked grave in Dunedin's Southern Cemetery.

John Brown, (1838-5/2/1864). "thought he was going mad"

A man named John Brown, in the employ of Mr. Barnes, road contractor, was working with two mates on the road now being made in that neighbourhood. On the night of the 4th he woke his tc telling them that he believed he was going out of his mind, and requested to go into town with him in order that he might give himself up to the police. They came in accordingly, and during the night went to the police station, where Brown repeated his statement and asked to be token into custody. The sergeant in charge could discern nothing whatever in the conduct of the man to justify taking him in charge, and, refusing to do so, after a short time the three went away. About 11 o'clock Brown left his work, and about twelve his mates, on searching, found him hanging by a piece of thin cord to a tree in the neighborhood of their tent. They at once cut him down but life was quite extinct. Information was given to the police and the body was brought into town, where it awaits an inquest at the Robin Hood Hotel. Some money found on his person, together with money handed over to the police as belonging to the deceased, amounted to £37 10s, and by a pocket book it appeared that he had a sum of £110 deposited in the Bank of New South Wales for 12 months. In this pocket book an entry, apparently made just before he destroyed himself, appears as follows: — "I am a native of Northallerton, Yorkshire, 25 years of age, December 6, 1863 John Brown." It does not appear that deceased was subject to insanity, but full particulars will no doubt be disclosed at the inquest.  -Press, 10/2/1864

'

An inquest was held on Monday at the Robin Hood, on the body of John Brown, who hanged himself on Friday morning last at the Kaikora valley. Olaf Teber, who was mate of deceased, had resided in the same tent for seven weeks with him. During this time deceased showed no symptoms of abberation of intellect; and there did not appear to be the slightest grounds for supposing that he contemplated suicide. Deceased was an unmarried man, about 24 years of age, and was from Northallerton, in Yorkshire. It seems that he had been appointed foreman over some work in King street, under Mcvenzie's contract, and in the morning preceding the day of his death, he said that he regretted it, because it compelled him to separate from Teber. Early on Friday morning he woke Teber and said, "Olaf, I believe I am going out of my senses, I do not know what is coming over me. I have got some money in the Maitland Bank, and some in my pocket. I have a brother in Maitland." Deceased had come from the Sydney side, and had been in New Zealand about two years. Teber told him to go to sleep and he would be better in the morning, and this seemed to tranquilise him for a few moments. After that interval he again said that he thought he was going mad, and asked Teber to take him into town and give him up to the police. After some hesitation Teber got up and, accompanied by another man who lived in the adjoining tent, went down to the police office; but on the road deceased seemed to recover, and said it was folly to give himself up. The party proceeded, however, and on arrival at the station he stated his case, and requested the police to take charge of him. The constable on duty declined to lock him up, stating that he (the constable) did not see anything that would justify him in doing so. At that time deceased appeared perfectly sane, and the three returned. On the way deceased said that he knew the police would not take him in charge as he felt quite right. He went to bed, and in the morning got up and made breakfast for himself and mate, and then went down to the contractor, Mr Barnes, to settle about some work on the Kaikora. He seemed in better spirits, and spoke about again working with Teber. The work was not to be settled about till the afternoon, and deceased not feeling well, said he would go back to the tent to take some medicine and lie down. Teber returned to the tent about one o'clock, and found that deceased was out. His coat was lying on the bed, and two knives belonging to him were also lying there and newly sharpened. Teber instantly suspected something was wrong, and went out in search, but had gone a very short distance- before he found deceased hanging to a tree in a wood near the creek. At that time he was quite dead, and Teber, with a neighbor, cut him down. On searching his pocketo L31 in notes, six shillings, and a receipt on the Maitland Bank were found. From the evidence of another witness, Frederick Palmer, overseer to Mr Flaxman, it appears that on the morning of Friday deceased applied for work, though he had then two engagements. Mr Palmer could not give him work then, but asked him to call again. Deceased appeared very low spirited then, but Mr Palmer attributed it to being out of work. The police constable to whom deceased applied at the watchhouse, and who attended when information of the suicide was given, gave similar evidence to that of the previous witnesses, and proved that the death of deceased must have been by his own act. The pocket book of deceased contained amongst other things the address of an unmarried female in England, with some doggrel love verses. There could be no doubt that deceased committed suicide while laboring under temporary insanity, for he had been a sober steady man, and a verdict to that effect was returned.  -Otago Witness, 13/2/1864.