John Mullins, (1835-23/9/1880). "his domestic troubles"

CITY POLICE COURT

Maintenance. — Mary Mullins charged her husband, John Mullins, with refusing to contribute the support of herself and their two children. — Defendant was ordered to pay 20s per week towards the support of his wife and 5s per week each for the children; in default of any payment twenty four hours’ imprisonment.  -Evening Star, 26/3/1878.

Suicide. 

A man named John Mullins committed suicide to-day. About two o'clock, he was found lying on the reclaimed ground near Stuart street jetty suffering great pain, and the persons who discovered him procured him some water to drink and sent for a doctor. Dr. Maunsell was speedily in attendance, but he believed that Mullins was dead when he appeared on the scene. Mullins was formerly in the army, having served in the Land Transport Corps during the Crimean war. He arrived in the colony several years ago, and started in the blacksmith trade, having his place of business at Tokomairiro. For the last few years he has had no workshop of his own, but has worked intermittently at various smithies in Dunedin. Owing to his want of steadiness he was not in constant work. Deceased was fifty years of age, and leaves two children. He is supposed to have taken strychnine.  -Globe, 23/9/1880.

The Coroner held an inquest upon the body of John Mullins yesterday, Mr Marsh being foreman of the Jury. The witnesses examined were Mrs Mullins, Sergeant-major Bevin, John Murdoch, and Robert Farquharson. The circumstances elicited corresponded with those previously published. Mullins was a North of Ireland man, 45 years of age, and an Episcopalian. Speaking to Mr Farquharson, a Veterinary surgeon, on Tuesday, he mentioned that he would rather take poison than go to gaol (having been summoned by his wife on a protection order). On Wednesday he spoke to Sergeant-major Bevin, but, although he seemed depressed in spirits, said nothing of any intention of suicide. About 1 o'clock Mr Murdoch found him near the bay, lying groaning, and in answer to questions he said he had taken strychnine. Murdoch went for a doctor, but when he returned Mullins was dead. Upon him afterwards was found a notebook, in which he had written, evidently just before taking the poison, some disconnected remarks about his domestic troubles, and about having had no peace since he was married. He was given to drinking. It is believed that he had had the strychnine in his possession, having been accustomed to doctor dogs and so forth. The Jury found a verdict that Mullins committed suicide by taking strychnine whilst in a state of temporary insanity.   -Otago Daily Times, 25/9/1880.