SUPPOSED SUICIDE.
A 58TH REGIMENT MAN FOUND SHOT.
(BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Dunedin, this day.
The body of William May, who had been reported to the police as missing, was found yesterday at the Town Belt, near Littlebourne, alongside a sixchambered revolver, two barrels of which were empty. There was a bullet wound in the right temple. Deceased was last seen alive on Wednesday night at the house of Mrs Rogers, Brook-street, with whom he was boarding. He leaves six children whose ages range from 11 years to 12 months. Deceased was a native of England, and was 45 years old. He served 15 years in the army, and belonged to the 58bh Regiment. He came to the colony from India in 1874, and for some time after his arrival was in the service of the railway; but subsequently for seven years carried oh business as a hairdresser and tobacconist at Balclutha, where be sold out several months ago. Since then he has been unable to get employment, and this, together with the death of his wife 12 months ago, preyed on his mind. Latterly he has been exceedingly despondent. -Auckland Star, 30/6/1890.
THE LATE WILLIAM MAY.
Much regret was felt throughout the community here when it was learned that the body of William May had been found in the town belt, Dunedin, on Sunday, under circumstances leaving no doubt he had committed suicide. The deceased, who was a native of England, was 45 years old, and had served 15 years in the 58th Regiment. He came to the Colony from India in 1874, and for some time after his arrival was in the railway service, but subsequently, for seven years, carried on business as a hair-dresser and tobacconist at Balclutha. Nearly a year ago his wife died, leaving Mr May with six children, the eldest being then only 10 years of age and the youngest an infant. May took his wife's death very much to heart, and shortly sold out and went to Dunedin. Since then he has not been able to find much employment, and latterly became very much depressed. This was noticed by those with whom he came into contact. He was missed on Wednesday night, and his body was found on Sunday afternoon in a part of the town belt covered with bush, near Mr Roberts house. The constable who took charge of the body gave evidence at the inquest that the body was on its back, fully dressed, and a brown felt hat was lying close to it. He examined the ground, and found no marks of any struggle. He then examined the body. The hands were lying across the upper part of the stomach; the right hand firmly grasped the revolver produced; and the second finger was upon the trigger. When witness found the revolver four chambers of it were loaded, one chamber had an empty cartridge case in it which had the appearance of having been recently exploded, and one chamber was empty. The revolver was a new one. Witness observed a bullet wound halfway between the right ear and the right eye, and a little above the line of the ear and eye. Part of the brain was protruding from the wound; also a little blood. Around the edge of the wound, and extending about an inch, was a powder mark, showing that the muzzle of the weapon was held close to the head. There was no other mark or wound on the body. The wound was such as a man could easily have inflicted upon himself with his right hand. Witness searched the body and found a box containing 45 revolver ball cartridges in one pocket. The box originally held 50. The cartridges correspond with the weapon. In one pocket there was a Waterbury watch which was stopped at 17 minutes past 10. There was also L2 17s 1d in deceased's pockets. Witness searched deceased's papers at the Coffee Palace, and found a Government insurance policy on his life for L200 which had been paid up. Mr McBeath also handed him a receipt of a policy for L200 on the Australian Mutual Insurance Company. When witness saw deceased's body it appeared to have been dead far two or three days. — The jury, without retiring, returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased shot himself while temporarily insane.
The deceased was a quiet, steady, industrious man, was very obliging, and took no part in any local disputes that occasionally will arise in the best regulated communities. As we have said his sad and premature end is much regretted by all here. -Clutha Leader, 4/7/1890.
William May lies buried in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.
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