Ernest P. Brown, clerk in the National Bank, Riverton, left the bank about seven o'clock yesterday. He did not tell anyone where he was going, and no trace can be found of him. Great anxiety is felt for his safety. He has been suffering from nervous debility for about a fortnight. His father (the Rev. Mr Brown) resides at Waikaia, and it is thought possible he may have gone there. He is twenty-five years of age. -Evening Star, 31/3/1892.
Mr Ernest Brown, son of Rev. M. Brown, Waikaia, and employed in a bank at Riverton, is missing since yesterday, and his whereabouts are unknown. He had been in a nervous state for past fortnight. -Dunstan Times, 1/4/1892.
MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.
NO TRACE OF MR BROWN.
The numerous friends of Mr Ernest P. Brown, son of the Rev. Mr Brown, of Waikaia, who is engaged as clerk in the local branch of the National Bank of New Zealand, will be somewhat startled and saddened to hear the painful news that he disappeared suddenly on Wednesday morning in a somewhat mysterious manner, and fears are entertained for his safety. For some time past he has been suffering from nervous depression to such an extent as to make him the subject of the strange hallucination that he must get away from some unknown aggressor. At first his friends were not alarmed, lulled into thinking him all right by the fact that he had intervals in which he seemed to have com pletely recovered. Notwithstanding this, however, Mr Hackworth, the manager of the bank, thought it advisable to have him nearer himself, and with this object in view, took him from his own lodgings, and gave him apartments in. the residence at the bank. To make assurance doubly sure, the doctor was interviewed, and he gave it as his opinion that Mr Brown would soon be all right, and was of opinion that meanwhile there need not be any great anxiety. Consequently he did not advise that any, special precautions were necessary to be taken. This satisfied Mr Hackworth, and beyond giving all the attention necessary for bodily comfort, no special supervision was exercised with respect to watching the patient's actions. For some time past Mr Brown has been in the custom of having a bathe every morning, and ever since the occurrence of the disorder he had gone as usual for his morning ablution. On Wednesday, at 7 a.m., he left, as was his wont, for his customary dip, and was seen by several residents on the south side of the estuary going in the direction of Tali's Point. Nothing was seen of him again until 8 o'clock, so it is said, when several persons distinctly aver that they saw him on the north side, after which he has not been seen. Mr Hackworth is not sure whether he took a towel with him or not, but one gentleman says he saw him with one. There are many statements afloat, but most of these are vague and conflicting, so that no reliability can be attached to them. So far, not the slightest clue has been chanced upon that might in any way point to his whereabouts. If he went for a swim, and took a towel with him, there ought certainly to be something found on the beach between here and Howell's Point to show that he entered the water. But though several parties have searched all along the beach, nothing has been discovered. It is not thought that he has been drowned, Mr Tarlton, an intimate friend of Mr Brown's, thinking it more probable that he has entered the bush on the hills at South Riverton and become lost. Many other localities have been searched, but with no result, and now it is deemed advisable to make a systematic search on the hills. For this purpose Mr Tarlton has made arrangements with the employes at Mr Moor's and Mr Small's sawmills to combine and form a search party. These with others will be about 30 strong, and they will traverse the whole of the hills to-day. More parties are to be formed, who will go to other places. Mr Taylor informed us last night that he had got up one, and we have not the slightest doubt but that everybody in Riverton, who can do so, will render assistance. Mr Brown is universally liked, and all the townsfolk are quite agitated over his disappearance, being apprehensive that he might have met his death. Let us hope no melancholy occurrence suchasthathas happened, and we trust that, with the united efforts of all, he may be found safe. There is just the possibility that he may have bad a bathe, re-crossed the bridge, and gone into the country. He had been heard to say that he would like to get away and work where nobody would find him. In case he should have, we trust that any persons who may have come across him will write to Mr Hackworth without delay. -Western Star, 2/4/1892.
Ernest P. Brown.
In our issue of Friday it was noted that Mr Ernest P. Brown, son of the Rev. Panton Brown, of Waikaia, who was engaged as clerk in the Riverton branch of the National Bank, disappeared suddenly on Wednesday morning. For some time past he has been suffering from nervous depression to such an extent as to make him the subject of the strange hallucination that he must get away from some unknown aggressor. At first his friends were not alarmed, lulled into thinking him all right by the fact that he had intervals in which be seemed to have completely recovered. Notwithstanding this, however, Mr Hackworth, the manager of the Bank, thought it advisable to have him nearer himself, and with this object in view, took him from his lodgings and gave him apartments in the residence at the Bank. To make assurance doubly sure, the doctor was interviewed, and he gave it as his opinion that Mr Brown would soon be all right, and was of opinion that there need not be any great immediate anxiety. Consequently he did not advise that any special precautions were necessary to be taken, This satisfied Mr Hackworth, and beyond giving all the attention necessary for bodily comfort, no special supervision was exercised with respect to watching the patient's actions. For some time past Mr Brown has been in the custom of having a bathe every morning, and ever since the occurence of the disorder he had gone as usual for his morning ablution. On Wednesday, at 7a.m., he left, as was his wont, for hit customary dip, and was seen by several residents on the south side of the estuary going in the direction of the Point. Nothing was seen of him again, and diligent search resulted in the finding of his body in the sea at the foot of a high cliff between Howell's Point and Colac Say on Saturday morning.
The deepest sympathy will be felt for his relations by a wide circle of friends. The young man was universally liked, and had before him chances of advancement in the Bank's service that present themselves to few; for he was thoroughly conscientious, possessed of a plodding disposition, and ever on the alert in the interests of his employers. -Mataura Ensign, 5/4/1891.
OBITUARY.
One of the most solemn duties that falls to the lot of a journalist is when be has to turn his pen from chronicling the current history of our time to write those thoughts which the sudden, sad, and unexpected death of a dear son, a kind brother, and an esteemed friend must ever originate in the mind of him who contemplates the withdrawal of a loved face and familiar figure into the silence and darkness of the cold tomb. Sadder and more solemn still does that task become, when, in the zenith of manhood, with high hopes and aspirations, that one is suddenly snatched a way from the finite into the infinite in a manner that startles us by its unexpectedness, overwhelm, us by its result, and shocks us by its awfulness. Painful must be the feelings of relatives, sorrowful those of friends, and sad those of associates. Such have been the thoughts occasioned by the death of our late esteemed townsman, Mr Ernest Panton Brown, who met his end by falling over a high precipice while walking on the sea shore. His removal from our midst has caused universal sorrow, casting quite a gloom over our erstwhile happy little community. Mr Brown was born at Lurwell, Wiltshire. England, on the 20th October, 1868, and was therefore slightly over 23 years of age. When he was a little over a year old he was taken to Glasgow by his parents, and it was there that the foundation of his education was laid, his instructress being an English lady named Mrs Montfort, who, it may be stated, exercised a great influence for good at the very time when he was most susceptible to good influences. When he was nine years of age his parents came out to New Zealand by the Otaki, and landed in the North Island, taking up a residence at Wairaraoa for about four years. Thence he went with his parents to Wellington, and after a short residence Mr Brown and his family came to Southland, settling first at Catlins and then at Waikaia, where Mr Brown is the officiating minister for the Presbyterian Church. It was at Waikaia that the subject of our obituary spent his early boyhood, and gave promise of those high qualities for which he has long been held in profound respect. He threw his whole soul into every social movement, was an enthusiastic cricketer, and, being endowed with musical ability, was always willing, when wanted, to do his share for concerts in aid of church work. Not only that, but he was a diligent and painstaking student. After a few years he entered the National Bank under Mr Thos. Taylor, and having obtained some experience, he was transferred to Riverton, thence to Invercargill, and back again to Riverton where he has been employed since 1890. While here he was not less energetic than he had been during his youthful years at Waikaia. Quiet yet genial; manly yet youthful; unassuming yet ever ready to help; conscientious upright, and temperate he soon won for himself the love of his associates, the respect of his friends, and the confidence of his employers. As a Christian worker he devoted what talent he had to the service of the church, and besides being a regular worshipper was a member of the Presbyterian Church choir, and a teacher in the Sabbath School. At the Riverton Mutual Improvement Society he will be missed as much for the excellence of his papers as for his fairness, disengeniousness, and geniality in the discussions. At one time he was the secretary of the Society, and whether as an officer or a member he always manifested the greatest interest in its welfare. Whatever he took up, into it he threw his whole soul. He was a man of honour, who respected the sacredness of truth, instinctively shrank from the appearance of evil, cleaved to what was good, and treasured the remembrance of his many friends both near and far away. During the whole course of his short but useful career he never wilfully occasioned his parents one pang of sorrow. As a son he was dutiful, and made his mother his confidant, his counsellor, and his tutor, so much so that he was but the fruits of a good woman's nurture and care, his love in return being unbounded. As a brother he was kind and affectionate; and the large cortege that yesterday wended its way to the resting place of the departed testified that as a friend and a townsman he was held in the highest estimation, the tear-dimmed eyes at the open grave being sufficient evidence that his removal from our midst was not only a parental but a public sorrow. In their sad bereavement the parents and relatives of the deceased have the sincere condolence of all. Sad as it is, we must not forget that it is the dark cloud that is tinged with a silver lining. Earth is not man's only abiding place. There is a realm where the stars never fade, where the bright forms of human beauty gather around the golden throne awaiting the coming home of earth's treasures, so that we can truly say that our friend is not lost but gone before.
He is not lost! He lives for aye; To these rent hearts this healing hope is given,
When from our sight our loved ones pass away, All that seems lost to earth is found in heaven. -Western Star, 6/4/1892.
INQUEST.
An inquest touching the circumstances that occasioned the death of Ernest Panton Brown, whose body was found at the foot of a precipice on the beach between Howell's Point and Colac Bay, was held in the Courthouse on Saturday evening before Samuel Instone, Esq., J.P., acting-coroner, and the following jury, of whom Mr J. Lyle was chosen foreman: —Jas. McDonald, John Pattison, Donald McLeod, John Cunningham, Alex McNaughton, and Joseph Lyle.
The jury having viewed the body, Sergeant Rutledge, who examined the witnesses, called
W. P. Brown, a Presbyterian minister, residing at Waikaia, and father of the deceased, who said: The body lying in the commercial room is my son, Ernest Panton Brown. His age is between 23 and 24 years. I last saw him alive about the beginning of March, when he left home, where he had been on a visit. I did not know that he was ailing then, and I heard nothing recently to alarm me. I may say, though, that when he was up seeing his mother, who was ill, he took a short fainting fit in the backyard. He was unmarried, and had no property with the exception of personal effects. His life is insured in the New Zealand Government Office for, I think, £200, but I can not tell just now whether he kept it up or not. He may probably have had a few mining shares, and I cannot say whether he had a will. That is all I can say with reference to my son.
The foreman: Does Mr Brown know whether his son was affected greatly with the illness of his mother? I think he went to see her, and might have been greatly agitated by it.
The coroner: Mr Brown has already answered that question. He said his son fainted.
Witness: I know that both brothers were affected by their mother's illness. Of course both boys were greatly attached to their mother, and they felt it very keenly. Ernest, the deceased, was of a keenly sensitive temperament, as far as I can judge.
Mr V. R. Hackworth, bank manager of the National Bank, at Riverton, said: I have known the deceased, Earnest Panton Brown, for four years. I knew him as clerk in the bank at Riverton — where he has been for the last two years — and while occupying the same position in Invercargill. During his residence here he had generally good health. The only time I have known him to be ailing at all was during the last fortnight. He appeared to be greatly depressed in spirits. We had several conversations about it, and he told me that he was in bad health and spirits. I understood that the bad spirits was the result or consequence of his bad health. He did not seem able to pull himself together, to collect his thoughts, and I entered into communication with headquarters to get him leave of absence, so that he might recoup himself. At times he would get sufficiently well to do his work, and then he would relapse, upon which he would tell me that he did not feel inclined to work. This has all occurred within the last fortnight. Last Monday week he came to my place in the evening, and slept continuously at my residence up till Tuesday, 29th March. He did this at my suggestion, or rather invitation. Previous to that he was staying in room; next to Hancock's boot shop. The reason why I asked him to my house was this: Mr Tarlton, who lived with Mr Brown, told me that he was in a very nervous state, and he (Mr Tarlton) did not know exactly what to do with him. I thought probably that it might be dull at his lodgings, and was of opinion that if I had him at my place I might liven him up a bit. During the time he was at my residence he slept in a room adjoining my own. After he retired to bed I heard no sounds, but he used to tell me in the morning that he did not sleep well. He said he woke very early in the morning, and could not sleep afterwards. Occasionally he would get a little troubled about different things; but he had no occasion to. His work at the bank was perfectly correct. I wish that to be distinctly understood. I do not know any cause that may be assigned for his state of depression. He was a particularly steady, respectable well-conducted young man, upright, conscientious, and temperate. I last saw him alive at about a quarter past eleven on Tuesday night, the 30th March. I missed him first when he did not turn up to breakfast next morning (Wednesday) at nine o'clock. I did not feel anxious, or think that anything had happened. As he did not show up, at about 4 o'clock on Wednesday I informed Sergt. Rutledge of his absence. In the bedroom in which he had slept I saw a cheque on the dressing table payable to Mrs Hurley. Since the evening of the 30th I have done everything I could to find out his whereabouts. I did not think it necessary to watch his actions, and did not consider him ill enough to require anybody to look after him. Had I thought it necessary I would have done so, even taken the responsibility of putting him under my own charge.
H. S. Tarlton, clerk in the Bank of New Zealand, at Riverton, said: I knew the deceased intimately for several years. Deceased, Mr Twemlow, and myself have been residing together for months. I knew that he had been unwell lately. He had been complaining for the last month. He complained of want of energy, and felt, inclined to sit down. The 17th March was the first day that he was really bad. He had been up the river that day, and I had gone to Invercargill. When I came back I was sitting in the front room at our house. He came in and said he did not know what was wrong with him and laid down on the sofa. I said to him "Come and have some tea, and you will feel better." He could not. He laid on the sofa still, and I tried all I could to get him up. After a while he jumped up and said "I am going to Invercargill to-morrow to see the doctor." to which I replied "Surely you are not so bad as all that." After that we went over together to the bank, and he told Mr Hackworth of his intention. Next morning he went away, and returned in the evening. That night he was very bad, not suffering pain, but depressed. On the 18th he spoke somewhat incoherently and then said "I must be out of my mind to speak like that." On the 19th I got the doctor to come down and see him. After that he began to improve, which continued until the 21st, when he left me and went to stay with Mr Hackworth, and as far as I can judge he improved while there. The nervous depression would occasionally affect his imagination, and he would think absurd things, which I always endeavoured to dispel.
E. Perry, storekeeper, Riverton, said: I have known deceased for a number of years, and last saw him alive at twenty-five minutes to eight on the morning of March 30th. I know the exact time because I looked at my watch just as I left my house to go over to the store. Deceased was going in the direction of South Riverton. He was full dressed in a light suit of clothes, and had a towel under his left arm. I did not notice anything peculiar in his manner. I never heard anything about him save what I have learnt since he was reported missing.
Dr Riley, duly registered medical practitioner residing at Riverton, said: I attended the deceased on March 21st. Since then he paid me three visits, the last being on the evening preceding his disappearance, on March 29th. He complained of severe nervous depression which had been going on for some time. He had been under other treatment before coming under my care. I told him that there was no reason to be alarmed about himself, and that there was every probability of his regaining his former health. I treated him for nervous depression or nervous debility — it matters little which of the two terms you use. On the night of the 20th he was very gloomy and concerned about himself. I had a long talk with him, and assured him that there was no cause for alarm. He left me, feeling, I believe, more cheerful. He was not a subject that required to be closely attended. He suffered from a feeling of depression and corresponding bodily weakness. What made it more unfortunate in his case was that he worried over things he had no need to worry about. I examined the body and found that there was a fractured dislocation of the spine at the fifth or sixth vertebrae — in other words found that, he had broken his neck. The head was severely bruised on the frontal region, the scalp was slightly lacerated, the right leg had a few bruises, and the knuckles of both hands showed abrasions. The cause of death was undoubtedly the injury to the spine. The wounds were caused previous to death, and must have been received while falling from some height. A reasonable supposition is that he must have fell, striking his forehead in such a way as to throw his head back with such force as to break his neck. To the best of my knowledge I believe that he has been dead since the day on which he was reported missing. Mr Brown's statements to me were exaggerated, and he exaggerated all his symptoms, but I do not regard that as being sufficient to show that he committed suicide, neither did it tend to show that his mind was giving way. When one gets low-spirited, I find, as a rule, that one is inclined to exaggerate. Even if a man were to speak of committing suicide, it does not necessarily follow that he would carry it out.
The foreman: The deceased left no impression on your mind that there was a likelihood of his committing suicide?
Witness: No; he did not.
E. B. Arthur said: I knew the deceased, and never heard till within the past few days that there was anything the matter with him. I last saw him alive at a quarter to eight on Wednesday morning, as near as I could tell. He was walking near the bridge, was going pretty fast, and had a towel in his hand which he swung round and round. When I went home I remarked to my wife that I saw Mr Brown going for his customary bathe.
Leonard Petchell, accountant, Riverton, said: I knew the deceased. Never knew the deceased had anything the matter with him. I was one of a search party who went out on Saturday morning to look for him after it had been reported that he had been lost. I went straight through the bush at South Riverton to the south coast in company with Mr James Taylor. I found the body about, as near as I can tell, a mile and a half towards Colac from Howell's Point, at twenty minutes past eleven on Saturday morning. The body was lying midway between high and low water mark, close in under the rocks on one side. We examined it, and then drew it up to beyond high water mark. There was no covering on the head, or watch in the pocket. We searched the pockets and found them empty. The clothes were considerably disordered, the trousers being torn about the knees. A portion of his watch chain remained in his waistcoat. The place where the body was found is a very dangerous one, one of the most dangerous on the coast. Looking at the surroundings my idea was that deceased had fallen over the rocks on to the rocks beneath — accidentally fallen over. Anyone might easily do that. I assisted to bring the body to town on a stretcher.
To the jury: The approaches to these cliffs are rocky and in some places gravely. There is no soft material to show the impressions of the feet.
Mr Jas. Taylor, mining agent, said: I have known the deceased for some years. Never knew that there was anything the matter with him either mentally or physically. Last saw him alive on Tuesday morning at Mr Hancock's corner. He had just returned from bathing. Noticed nothing the matter with him then. I had seen him previously, and thought he appeared a little out of sorts. I had mentioned this to him, and he replied that the doctor had told him that his nervous system was a little out of order. I said, "Well, I am going round the coast, Brown; you had better take a trip with me. It will do you good." He replied, "When are you going?" and I said "To-morrow." He replied, "You see it is a very bad time, because we have to balance, and I would not be able to get away." That showed him to be rational enough, and I considered his complaint a physical more than a mental one. I accompanied Mr Petchell to search for him. Another party went round by the point, and we crossed the hill. We had agreed to meet. This we did, but nothing had resulted. The other party returned, and Mr Petchell suggested that we might go a mile back towards Colac. We went back to the place where we came out, and about 400 yards past that we found the body. It would be about a mile and a half from Howell's. Point. We almost saw the body at the same time. We searched for the watch, in order that we might get the time at which the mishap occurred, but could not find it. The cliff is about 40ft high. There was a ledge of rocks within two or three feet of where the body was lying. My impression is that deceased fell over the cliff accidentally. At high water one would either have to go over the cliff or into the bush to get round the beach. The bush is very unpleasant to walk in, and anyone attempting to traverse the cliff would require all his senses about him even in daylight.
To the jury: Could not say whether there were any signs of blood or hair on the rocks. Could not see any signs of a fall.
Sergeant Rutledge said: About four o'clock on the afternoon of the 31st of March Messrs Hackworth and Tarlton came to the Police Station and reported to me that deceased had left the National Bank at about seven o'clock that morning, and had not since returned. They did not apprehend any danger, but thought it very strange of him to absent himself so long without letting anyone know. Previous to that I did not know anything to be wrong with the deceased physically or mentally. The last person who saw him alive was Eva Styles. She saw him on Wednesday morning at 8 o'clock. He was then going towards the Point, and she observed nothing the matter with him. This morning I was one of a search party that went into the bush at South Riverton. At about twenty minutes to two I saw a party coming along the beach in the direction of Colac bearing the body on a stretcher. I took charge, and had it conveyed to the Commercial room. I searched the body in the presence of Mr Taylor, and found a watchguard, little piece of chain, and some sleeve links. There was nothing else. I assisted the doctor to undress deceased, and noticed the wounds described.
The Coroner: Mr foreman and gentlemen of the jury. As there is nothing laid before us which can point to any foul play, your duty will be very light. You will simply have to consider what verdict you can present on the evidence, and if you wish to retire you can do so. A rider is sometimes added, but that cannot be taken as part of a verdict. If you think you can deal with it where you are you need not retire. The jury did not retire, and after a very short deliberation, the foreman announced that they had agreed upon the following verdict: — The finding of the jury is that deceased met his death by accidentally falling over a precipice on the beach between Howell's Point and Colac Bay. -Western Star, 6/4/1892.
Ernest's death was determined to be accidental, but is is a strange coincidence that his brother, two years later, should be the subject of the story below.
SUICIDE OF A BANK CLERK.
[Special to the Star.]
MOSGIEL, December 17. This morning, shortly after six o'clock, a young man named Aristides Verral Brown, a clerk in the National Bank, committed suicide by shooting himself in the head with a revolver. He had got out of bed, partly clothed himself, bandaged his eyes with a handkerchief, and discharged the revolver close to the right ear. The bullet passed right through his head, and death must have been nearly instantaneous. He was about twenty-four years of age, and a son of the Rev. William Panton Brown, now of Dunedin, formerly of Waikaia. No letters can be found giving a clue to the cause of the rash act. The deceased only came from Dunedin about a fortnight ago to act as relieving clerk, and was then slightly depressed and despondent, but has seemed much better and brighter, since his arrival here. Mr Carew will hold an inquest to-morrow. -Evening Star, 17/12/1894.
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