SUICIDE AT OAMARU.
OAMARU, May 2.
Mr De Lambert, merchant, has committed suicide by taking prussic acid. He was found by his office boy this morning quite dead on the sofa in his office. He leaves a wife (who is near her confinement) and eight children. The supposed cause is business troubles. His life was insured six months ago in the Government Office, but as it is a rule of the office that in case of suicide within thirteen months the policy is not paid, it is feared that the family will get nothing. -Evening Star, 2/5/1887.
SUICIDE AT OAMARU.
At the inquest yesterday on Mr J. J. de Lambert, formerly connected with the Oamaru Barbed Wire Company, and latterly in business there as a commission agent, it was shown by the evidence of Dr Wait that death was caused by prussic acid, two empty phials which had contained that poison having been found on the couch where deceased lay. The evidence also showed that deceased had been suffering from insomnia, and that he was not, judging from the figures given by his clerk, embarrassed in his financial affairs. A verdict of "Suicide while suffering from temporary insanity" was returned. Deceased had insured his life in the Government Insurance Office about three months ago for L500, but a regulation of the office is that the policy of a person committing suicide not having been in force for twelve months or over is vitiated by the act. The deceased leaves a wife and a family of eight children totally unprovided for. — 'North Otago Times.' -Evening Star, 3/5/1887.
Mr A. S. Otterson desires us to intimate that be is receiving subscriptions in aid of Mrs de Lambert and her family. The list, although only just started, bears strong evidence of the kind and practical sympathy of the people of this district. Mr Otterson will be grateful for donations, however small, in aid of such a necessitous case, and would feel obliged if those to whom he cannot, by reason of their distance from Oamaru, personally apply would forward such amounts to him as they can afford to give. -Oamaru Mail, 3/5/1887.
DEATH OF MR J. J. DE LAMBERT.
THE INQUEST
The following is the conclusion of our report of the inquest (which) was held yesterday at the Criterion Hotel, before H. W. Robinson, Esq., District Coroner, and a jury of six, touching the death of Josias John de Lambert.
Dr Wait that he was called about 9 o'clock this morning to see deceased and found him dead. He thought that deceased might have been dead six or seven hours. It might have been more or it might have been less. Witness had made s post mortem examination and found no external marks of violence. He opened the chest, and found the lungs gorged with blood; The left side of the heart was empty, the right side containing liquid blood. He opened the stomach and a strong smell of prussic acid escaped from it. The stomach also contained some partly digested food. The lining membrane of the stomach was very much congested with blood. Other organs of the body were healthy. He was of the opinion that death was caused by poisoning by prussic acid. He could not form any opinion as to the quantity taken, but would think it was a very large quantity, and that the heart was paralysed immediately after the poison was taken.
Mr Hislop's evidence was read over to the witness, and he was asked if he could assist the jury in arriving at what state of mind the deceased was in.
Witness said that insomnia might so affect a man's mind as to render him less responsible for his actions.
Sergeant Dwyer gave evidence to finding the 2-dram phial lying besides deceased. The cork was out and it was lying on the floor. This was before the body was moved.
The Coroner, in reviewing the evidence, remarked that the evidence as to the deceased's obtaining the poison and having it in his possession was simple enough, and the only matter for them to have any doubt about was the state of his mind.
The jury were satisfied that sufficient evidence bad been taken to enable them to arrive at their verdict, and at once brought in a verdict to the effect that the deceased bad taken poison while of unsound mind. -Oamaru Mail, 3/5/1887.
A number of kind persons — veritable friends in need — are contriving to make Mrs de Lambert and her 8 children, the eldest of whom is only 12 years of age, as comfortable as possible under the distressing circumstances in which they are placed. The subscription list is getting on famously, for the public is acting with that prompt and ungrudging liberality that is at once so necessary and admirable. But the schoolteachers and children want to do something too in the cause that needs assistance, and, to this end, they are, we understand, making the preliminaries for giving one of their attractive entertainments. The idea is as excellent as it is humane. Everybody would, as usual, be delighted to hear the children recite and sing — more delighted than ever in view of the goodness of heart that prompted them to do their share towards mitigating sorrow. Other Good Samaritans have also (been) independently taking steps in much the same direction; but both parties have now combined to give an entertainment such as has never yet been given in Oamaru. The first part of the programme will be reserved for children attending the public schools, and Mr Peattie has kindly undertaken the charge of this department. The second part, which will be miscellaneous and as varied as possible as regards items and performers, has been taken in hand by Mr Finch, whilst Mr Otterson is attending to the financial and other arrangements. It is proposed to hold the entertainment on Friday, the 20th inst. -Oamaru Mail, 5/5/1887.
FRIDAY NIGHT'S ENTERTAINMENT.
The endeavours of the people of this community to afford some practical solace to Mrs de Lambert and her family in their trouble will culminate on Friday night in a performance of an exceptionally interesting character. The programme prepared for that entertainment is a crowded one in regard to numerousness of items; but it is just as full of variety. One of its most interesting features is the first part, which has bean exclusively devoted to performances by children from the three public schools of the town, assisted by one of the lady teachers, with the exception that an opening piece will be played by the City Band. It is pleasant to learn that the children have entered into their preparations for the entertainment with all the more energy and enthusiasm because of the object for which they are working, and that they will appear in their best form on Friday night. Everybody loves children, and appreciates innocent displays of their talent — their happy faces and their merry voices. The Public Hall is always crowded to its utmost capacity when they give an entertainment. On this occasion, however, their elders will also take part in the entertainment. The second part will open with a selection by the Garrison Band, and then will follow vocal and pianoforte music, some of which is as novel as we are sure it will be good. It is interesting to observe that the choirs of St. Paul's, Wesley, and St. Luke's Churches will render their aid by singing concerted pieces. A number of our vocalists of proved excellence will sing some popular songs, and a piece will be played by four ladies on two pianos. The programme is the most attractive that has ever been prepared in connection with an Oamaru performance, and we venture to say that there is not a town in the colony that could give a better entertainment than will be given on Friday night, and there certainly never was an entertainment given for a better purpose, and that, on all conceivable grounds, has such a claim on the public. It is encouraging to know that the school children have been selling tickets most industriously and with perfect success, and that there is every prospect of a full hall. -Oamaru Mail, 18/5/1887.
CONCERT AT THE PUBLIC HALL.
The weather was anything but pliant last night, the clouds being dark and lowering and the streets muddy; nevertheless there was a first-rate attendance at the entertainmant given in aid of Mrs de Lambert and her family. The receipts amounted, we believe to fully L40 — a fact which must be exceedingly gratifying to the initiators of the entertainment, Messrs Finch and Otterson, and their numerous co-workers. All the hard work in the first part was done by teachers and pupils of the District High School and the North School; a short overture — the Glasgow "Quickstep" — having been fairly well played by the Oamaru City Band. There was just one vocal solo in the first part, "Lassie," which was so well sung by Miss Brownlee that the audience insisted upon her reappearance in a second effort. Of the pieces given by the school children we liked best "Bonnie Charlie's noo awa" by the North School pupils, and the chorus "Sweet Home," by pupils of the District High School. The action song of the little dots from the District High School had attractions quite peculiar to itself — attractions arising from the extreme youthfulness, the healthy looks and the tidy appearance of the little folks, from their unsophisticated self possession and the deftness of their movements. They and their conductress, Miss King, accordingly received more than the usual amount of applause. The staging of the North School pupils, however — they were accompanied by the headmaster, Mr J. Lindsay — was notable on account of its purely musical qualities. It was especially so in the songs we have already mentioned. The overture to the second part — "Reminiscences of Verdi" — was rather long; but it abounded in brilliant passages, which were brilliantly played by the Garrison Band, and so its length was but little if at all felt by the audience. Other well appreciated items in the second part were a song by Miss Grenfell, who was encored; "O ye tears," by Miss E. Lemon; "Love's Request," by Miss Bollenhagen; and "Pierot," by Miss Gifford. Four members of St. Paul's choir, accompanied by Mr Kemshed, sung as a glee; Lady Nairne's famous "Land o' the Leal," which was fairly sung on the whole, though here and there the pathos was not expressed with sufficient sympatheticness. The glee "See our oars" was well given throughout by the choir of Wesley Church, and the bright passages especially were sung with a refreshingly sympathetic brightness. The "Bravura Galop" is a sparkling bit of music, and last night it was played in a style at once brilliant and accomplished, on two pianos; the performers being Mrs Moore and Miss Bicknell, Miss Headland and Miss Morton. The fine though somewhat sorrowful song, "Hard Times," was the last item on the programme. It was most feelingly sung by Mrs Kinnear, who was assisted by a skilful chorus consisting of Mils Gifford, Mr A. Familton, Mr C. Jones, and Mr W Williamson. The accompanyists not already mentioned must not be forgotten, for without good accompaniments what could the best singers do? In that respect, then, valuable work was done by Mrs J. Booth, Mrs Moore, Miss King, Miss Gertrude Lemon, and others. The two pianos used were lent for the occasion by Charles Begg and Co. -North Otago Times, 21/5/1887.
THE DE LAMBERT WIDOW AND ORPHANS' FUND.
Mrs de Lambert wishes us to tender her most sincere and heartfelt thanks to those who have so generously contributed to the relief of herself and children. The total amount received by the treasurer, Mr A. S. Otterson, is L255 19s 10d, the contributions being derived from Oamaru, Christchurch, Wellington, and Dunedin; and Mr Otterson wishes us to say that a list of contributions may be seen at his office. At the solicitation of her friends in Ceylon, it has been decided to apply a portion of this money to sending Mrs de Lambert and her children to Ceylon, and, through the kindness of the Dunedin agents of the P. and O. Company, arrangements have been made to secure the passages at a reduced rate. A subscription list has also been got up in Ceylon, amounting, at the time of last advices, to over L60. The following extracts from Colombo papers will doubtless be read with interest:
"A planter who has contributed to the de Lambert Fund, writes 'I never met either Mr or Mrs de Lambert, but I do hope that a substantial sum will be got together for the poor widow and children. Her position cannot but rouse the sympathy of the planting community, especially those of us who have families to provide for. During these years of depression, the fear of being removed from our dear ones, before we could provide for them, must have sat like a night-mare on many, and the recollection of this ought to stimulate our charity in helping this poor lady and her young family.'
Another paragraph runs as follows: De Lambert Widow and Orphans' Fund — Amount already acknowledged and banked: 382rupees; O. J. Le Mesurier, 50 rupees; James Blackett, 17 rupees.
A friend of Mr de Lambert writes ''I hope your movement will be the means of getting a good deal for the fund for poor Mra de Lambert, left with such a large family of little ones. I am glad to say the people of Oamaru have been most kind to her in every way, and have shown their sympathy in a substantial manner by raising some money for her." Another adds: — "I am under the impression that cheap and good education is afforded in New Zealand and that a young lad's career is not spoilt by taking to good honest manual labor. Here such a thing is impossible." -Oamaru Mail, 30/8/1887.
Mr Otterson informs us that he has received a cheque for L7 14s 7d from the Government Insurance Department in favor of Mrs de Lambert. It will be remembered that on account of the late Mr de Lambert's policy not having been twelve months in force on the date of his death the Department was debarred by law from paying the sum assured, but, finding it possible to return the amount of the first premium paid, they have adopted that course. -Oamaru Mail, 15/9/1887.
A painful accident occurred at 7 o'clock yesterday morning to Mrs de Lambert's youngest girl, who is about 11 months old. Mrs de Lambert had occasion to leave the kitchen for a few minutes, so she placed the little one in its chair a good distance from the fire. While she was away another of the children, thinking baby felt the cold, drew it nearer to the fire, and a few minutes later it managed somehow to pitch itself head foremost on to the hot stove. The right side of its face and the right eye are very badly burned, and it is not yet known whether or not the sight is completely lost. -Oamaru Mail, 13/4/1888.
It seems that the de Lambert family did not leave New Zealand. Instead, their Ceylon association was put to good use in their home town.
WANTED KNOWN, Mrs de Lambert, Dee-street, has PURE CEYLON TEA, at 2s and 2s 6d per lb. -Oamaru Mail, 29/7/1892.
The family remained in Oamaru, Mrs de Lambert featuring in church circles and also in golfing and tennis news. she sent a son, Frederick Charles, off to war in 1916. She was heavily involved in the charity work for soldiers. Frederick was discharged from the Army in February, 1919, and so it is possible that he was welcomed home by his mother before her death.
It came as a shock to her friends this morning to hear that Mrs de Lambert had died last evening unexpectedly at Waimate, while on a visit to her daughter, Mrs R. Collins. Mrs de Lambert's life among us furnishes an admirable example of self-help and courage. About 30 years ago she arrived with her husband from Ceylon, where her youth was spent, and although the early loss of her husband imposed upon her the responsibility of a. numerous family, all of them young, she faced the situation bravely, and despite her domestic cares, found time to assist in a most practical manner in all social efforts. Mrs de Lambert was especially interested in St. Luke's Church, and for many years has been an indefatigable Guild worker. -Oamaru Mail, 16/8/1919.
CHURCH SERVICES.
The services at St. Luke's tomorrow will be conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon Russell. The Holy Communion will be celebrated at 8 and at the 11 o'clock service, when the Ladies' Guild Memorial Tablet to the memory of the late Mrs de Lambert will be unveiled. All members of the Guild and the relatives and friends of the deceased lady are specially invited to be present. -Oamaru Mail, 5/6/1920.
Oamaru Cemetery.
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