James Young, (1857-1/12/1883). "shun them; shun them"

Dunedin, This day. James Young, a watchmaker, committed suicide at South Dunedin on Saturday. The deceased arrived in the colony four months ago from Great Britain by the British King. On his arrival he went to live with his uncle, Mr Cunningham, at South Dunedin, and became attached to one of Cunningham's daughters, but his suit was discouraged by his uncle. A short time since deceased went to Outram, and there opened a small shop as a watchmakcr and working jeweller. On Thursday he came to town, and met Miss Cunningham, who declined to have anything to say to him. After this he loafed about town drinking, once or twice spoke of committing suicide. On Saturday, about two hours before he shot himself, he told a young woman at Kensington that he had been badly treated, and that he would do so owing to Cunningham. At 10 o'clock Cunningham was told what the deceased had said, and sent for the police, who were in the house, and were making inquiries at the time that Young fired the first shot. The first shot seemed to be fired into the throat. The deceased ran from the building, and fired again, the second shot penetrating his right breast.  -Daily Telegraph, 3/12/1883.

INQUEST.

An inquest was held at South Dunedin this afternoon on the body of James Young, who shot himself on Saturday night last; Mr Coroner Hocken presiding. 

Peter Cunningham, living in Melburn Btreet, South Dunedin, deposed that the deceased — who was a nephew — was twentysix years of age, a native of Glasgow, and a watchmaker. He was unmarried, and had been in the Colony four months. Last Saturday night, about half-past nine o'clock, witness was sitting in the kitchen with his family and Police-sergeant Macdonnell, when he heard the clicking of a revolver. All ran into the passage, and a shot was heard immediately afterwards. A second shot was fired, and Sergeant Macdonnell went out and discovered that the deceased had shot himself through the chest. Deceased died in about a quarter of an hour before the services of a doctor could be obtained. For some time past deceased had been very troublesome to witness's family. He was desirous of paying his addresses to witness's daughter, but was discouraged in his idea. Witness would not countenance him. On the day of the cattle show he asked witness whether any proposal from him would be received in twelve months, but witness said he would not countenance him if he waited twenty years. There was no insanity in the family, but deceased was rather weakminded.

Susan McLachlan, living in Grosvenor street, Kensington, gave evidence as to being at Mr Cunningham's on Saturday night and hearing the two shots. In the morning deceased had been to her father's house, and she noticed that he was very excited. He wanted to have a rest, and, pulling a revolver out of his pocket, told witness to begone, and that if she allowed anyone to enter it would be death to him. He said that he had tried to take his life that morning, but his watch had saved him, and also that he intended to kill himself that night. Witness tried to calm him, and while she was talking to him he fell down and went into a fit, foaming at the mouth. Witness went into town with him and asked him to promise that he would not carry out his threat. He replied "I don't know my own mind five minutes, so there's no use of making a promise." In the evening he came to witness's house and said he was going to fight a battle in Melburn street. Witness tried to get him to stop at the house, but he refused, and asked for some paper to write down what he wanted done with his possessions. Witness refused to give him any paper, and he pulled some paper out of his pocket on which he began to write. He wanted witness to take L7 with which to pay for his funeral, but witness refused. He was under the influence of drink, and when he left witness immediately went to the Cunninghams to warn the family, and Sergeant Macdonnell was sent for. 

The Coroner: I am sure I must say you have acted in this matter with great judgment and presence of mind. You have been placed in trying circumstances and you have done very well. Perhaps it is a pity information was not given to the police earlier.

Witness said that the deceased in the morning had promised to go to Outram where he lived, and as he appeared to have calmed down she thought there was no danger. He had frequently told her that life was not worth living. 

The Coroner: I am sure you have had a very anxious time, and you have done what a brave woman should do. 

Samuel Cameron, of Outram, said he had known the deceased from his boyhood, and he never knew him to indulge in liquor. When leaving Outram he promised to be back on Saturday night or Monday morning.

 The Coroner got the permission of the witness to read the following letter, which was found on the deceased: Mr Cameron, — I wish to give all people their due. You will find all the customers' watches in my chest below my clothes. Charge them, and keep it for your kindness to me. You will find two jobs in my pocket. The brooch belongs to McBride, and the ring to Palmer. Give them to them with my good wishes; and the Devil bless you, or God bless you, as you please. — Yours fraternally, J. Young.

P.S. — Realise my estate, and send it to mother,

Sergeant Macdonnell deposed that in response to a request by Mr Cunningham he went to his house on Saturday night. Witness was not there five minutes when a noise was heard outside, and two shots were fired. Witness went out and discovered that the deceased had shot himself. The following letter, Addressed to "the Reporter of the 'Otago Daily Times,'" witness found on the deceased: —

I have done the deed myself; it is all through love. Blame my friends for this deed; it is all their fault. They promised me their daughter's hand and then withdrew their consent. I therefore cannot live without her. Let all people who value true love shun them. They have been my curse through this life. Shun them; shun them is my last words. — Yours, eternally, James Young.

The jury brought in a verdict that the "deceased committed suicide while insane," and intimated that in their opinion Mr Cunningham was not to blame in the matter.  -Evening Star, 3/12/1883.

James Young lies in a pauper's grave in Dunedin's Southern Cemetery.

Henrich Longford, (1844-13/4/1883). "having some words"

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

What appears to be a determined case of attempted suicide occurred at South Dunedin last night. Henry Longford, living in a four-roomed cottage next to the Fitzroy Hotel, retired to his bedroom about half-past nine o'clock, leaving his wife and Mrs Maxwell, a boarder, in the kitchen. Shortly after the latter heard a shot discharged, and Mrs Longford in going into the passage found her husband with his hands holding his breast. A three-chambered revolver was found in the bedroom, and it was discovered that the man had shot himself in the breast, the ball narrowly missing his heart and lodging in the left lung. Drs DeLautour and Fergusson were quickly in attendance, but last night held out no hope of the man's recovery. The former was of opinion this morning, however, that there was a slight chance, although the man lies in a perilous state. Longford is forty years of age, and arrived from Bushy Point, near Invercargill, where he had been working, on Saturday last. He has since been employed at Messrs D, Reid and Co's wool-shed. The muzzle of the pistol appears to have been pressed close to the breast, and the theory expressed by the relatives as to its accidental discharge can scarcely be entertained. The three chambers of the revolver were loaded, and had remained so for some time — since Longford's return from a trip into the country.  -Evening Star, 12/4/1883.

The inquest on the Dane named Henrich Longford, who shot himself on Wednesday, was held on Saturday. The wife, after giving details of the occurrence, said she had been having some words with her husband about a young woman whom he kept company and corresponded with, and she supposed he was troubled in his mind in consequence. She blamed the woman for the trouble, for he was a very quiet man. The night deceased shot himself witness accused him of writing to this woman, and told him if he did not stop corresponding with her she (witness) would leave him. He promised not to write to her any more. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity.  -Ashburton Guardian, 16/4/1883.

Henry Francis Martin, (1865-14/12/1882). "a little to drink"

SHOCKING DEATH ON THE RAILWAY.

A frightful affair occurred last, evening on the railway-line near the Castle street crossing by which a young man named Henry Martin lost his life. At first the case looked undoubtedly like one of suicide, but upon a consideration of all the information which we have been able to gather it will be seen that there is some ground for believing that the fatality was quite accidental. 

The deceased was only eighteen or nineteen years of age, and was the only son of his parents, who reside in York place. His father is employed at the new gasworks in course of erection at Caversham. The deceased himself had worked at the Otago Foundry for about five years, and had during that time borne an excellent character for steadiness and sobriety. Yesterday, in consequence of the transfer of the foundry from the trustees in the estate of the late proprietors (Messrs Davidson and Conyers) to Messrs Palmer, Booth, and Co, there was an auction sale of stock on the premises, and a liberal supply of refreshments of all kinds was provided. Young Martin drank some spirits, and not being accustomed to take much he became slightly intoxicated, and at 4 p.m. was told not to mind his work but go home. He reached home about half-past five o’clock and told his mother that he did not feel well, and she advised him to lie down for a bit. When his father returned from work he went up to deceased’s room, and took his boots off in order to make him more comfortable. About half-past seven o’clock one of the neighbors went to the house and told Mrs Martin that she had seen young Martin get out of his bedroom window and go down the street. Mrs Martin states that she went after him and asked him where he was going, to which he replied: “For a long walk and a bath; it will do me good.” She thought that it would do so and accordingly let him go, and she saw him going in the direction of the Bay, where he used often to bathe. In the morning, however, he had not returned, and Mrs Martin on hearing that a young man had being killed at the Castle street railway crossing began to fear that it might be her son. On going with some friends to the Morgue her worst fears were realised, for the lifeless remains they saw there were those of her boy. She entirely discredits the idea that he committed suicide, and thinks that the effects of the drink he had taken must have made him so unsteady that he fell in crossing the line. 

The manner in which deceased came to his death will, pending the holding of an inquest, best be gathered from abstracts of reports by officials in the Railway Department.

Mr G. H. Ashcroft, station-master, reports to Mr A. Grant, traffic-manager, as follows: I have to report an accident last night, by which a man (name unknown) met his death. From the account given by Thomas Egley, Charles Bollo, and Donald McAuley, railway servants, it would appear to be a case of determined suicide. As the train from Palmerston, due at 9 p.m., was approaching the station, the driver noticed a man standing about three yards clear of the main line at Castle street crossing. He was apparently waiting for the train to pass, but when the engine was distant about four or five yards he threw himself deliberately forward with his arms extended. The brake whistle was immediately given, and the train pulled up in about fifty yards. The man was terribly mangled, and has not yet been identified; but the police were then communicated with, and they removed the remains to the Morgue. 

Donald McAuley, signalman, states that he was on the crossing until the train arrived at Stuart street signals, when he moved to hold the facing points situated about three yards within the fence on the station side of the crossing. He observed the man approach slowly from the street, and stop as if to allow the train to pass. When it was a few yards away the man put his arms to the sides of his head and fell forward on the line. He was immediately struck by the cow-catcher, which pushed him forward a little distance and then passed over him, and several carriage and waggon wheels also passed over the body. The driver of the engine had noticed that something was wrong, and pulled up the train within about fifty yards. About half of the train had passed over deceased’s body, which was found terribly mangled. 

Thomas Egley (shunter), employed at the crossing, says that he was standing with McAuley at the time, and corroborated his statement.

Charles Bollo, driver of the engine, states that he gave the usual warning whistle before nearing the crossing. He was going at a slow pace, being quite close to the station. When close on to the crossing he saw deceased throw himself across the rails, and immediately whistled the brakes down and stopped the train. 

George Course, guard to the train, says that just before reaching the crossing he heard the driver’s whistle to put the brakes down, and obeyed the signal. The train was going slowly, and was pulled up within fifty yards. 

An inquest was to have been held late this afternoon.  -Evening Star, 15/12/1882.

INQUEST.

The inquest on the body of the man Henry Martin, killed on the railway on Thursday evening, was held at the Morgue yesterday afternoon, before Mr E. H. Carew, S.M., and a jury of thirteen, of whom Thomas Broadway was chosen foreman. The jury having inspected the body, 

Edward Booth, foundry master at the Otago Foundry, was called, and deposed: I identify the remains as those of Henry Martin, who was in my employ. He left the foundry at four yesterday, at my request, as he had had a little to drink. That is the last I saw of him. He was unfit to work. I had never seen him suffering from drink before, though he had been in my employ five years. I have noticed nothing unusual or eccentric in him of late. I am quite certain that he was under the influence of liquor, as I could smell drink on him, and he staggered. There had been some drink on the works. 

Benjamin Martin (laborer), father of the deceased, said: I identify the remains as those of my son, who was between eighteen and nineteen years of age, I saw him last about five minutes past eight last night, when he left the house a little the worse for drink. I told him not to go out, but he said he would take a walk to cool himself. We never had a quarrel. There has not been the slightest change in his demeanor of late. I never knew him to taste drink since he was quite a little boy. He could walk quite well. The distance from my house to where the accident occurred is about half a mile. 

Thomas Egley, shunter in the Dunedin yards, deposed: I saw Martin about nine o'clock standing by the railway crossing at Castle street, within 3ft or 4ft of the rails. He was standing quite still, and I was about seven or eight yards from him. As there was a train from Palmerston coming I thought he was waiting till it passed by. When the engine came within 8ft or 10ft oh where he was the deceased threw out his hands and flung himself across the rails. I instantly gave the driver a danger signal, the brakes were put on, and the train brought to a standstill within about forty yards. I then proceeded to the body, which was lying under the train, after about ten or twelve trucks had passed over it. The body was much mangled, and I had to get assistance to bring it to the Morgue. It was not possible for me to save him, as the engine was so near. I did not speak to him. I took particular notice of him to see whether he would attempt to cross, and he appeared to deliberately throw himself across. He appeared quiet in his manner, as if waiting for the train to pass. There were no stones or iron to cause him to trip. The signalman was between us, about four or five yards from him. When he was approaching ho appeared to be walking steadily. I saw no female near to him at any time. 

Donald Macaulay, signalman, whose duty it was to look after the Castle street crossing, stated that he saw deceased, while the train was approaching, walk steadily to the crossing and stand a few feet from the rails, apparently waiting for the train to pass. The witness then detailed the occurrence of the death of the deceased exactly as given by the last witness. The train was travelling about five miles an hour, and was stopped as soon as possible. There was no time to stop the train before the occurrence took place. There are no gates at the crossing. He saw no one speaking to deceased, but there was a woman about after they were picking up the remains. 

Charles Bollo, engine-driver in charge of the nine o'clock train, deposed: On approaching the Castle street crossing from the North, about 8.58, I saw a man walk up to the line and stop — clear of the rails. He looked over his shoulder, and suddenly threw himself right across the rails, when the engine was about 6ft from him. I don't think it possible that he could have tripped and fallen. If I had known that he was suffering from drink I should still have the opinion that he threw himself across the line, I had a good light on the engine. As soon as I saw the occurrence I reversed the engines, and whistled for the brakes, which were put on immediately. We were travelling about six miles an hour, and three parts of the train had passed over the body before we had stopped. It was impossible to stop the train in time to save his life.

The Coroner, in summing up the evidence, said it was evident from the depositions that the man was suffering from what was very unusual for him — the influence of drink. It was possible that this being the only time he had drunk anything it might have taken an unusual effect upon him. It seemed strange that a man with no cares upon his mind should have deliberately attempted to commit suicide, and there was nothing to show that in an ordinary state he was of unsound mind, He left the matter in the hands of the jury. If they thought there was evidence of deceased being insane, a verdict should be brought accordingly; or if, in their opinion, it was a case of unpremeditated suicide, a verdict should be brought in in accordance with that view. It certainly seemed impossible that he contemplated suicide. 

After consideration, the jury returned the following verdict, — "That the deceased committed suicide by throwing himself across the rails whilst laboring under a fit of temporary insanity; no blame attaching to anybody."  -Evening star, 15/12/1882.

The unfortunate lad Henry Martin, who was killed recently at the railway-crossing, was buried on Saturday last. He appears to have been of very steady habits and to have been generally respected by his acquaintances, a large number of whom refuse to accept the idea that he committed suicide, and opine that a feeling of giddiness must have seized him whilst watching the approach of the train, causing him to throw his arms up to his head and fall. This is not an improbable theory, seeing that the lad was suffering from the effects of drink, to which he was wholly unaccustomed.  -Otago Daily Times, 19/12/1882.

Samuel Marsh, (1822-4/3/1882). "cast into the ocean"

FOUND DEAD.

Shortly before 6 o'clock on Saturday morning a man named Samuel Marsh, 60 years of age was found dead in a room at the back of one of Mr Russell's houses in Castle street. About 9 o'clock in the morning Marsh was seen through the open door of his room by two little girls named Annie Davies and Mary Hart. He was then kneeling at his bed in a praying attitude, and the girls, thinking he was engaged in devotional exercises, took no notice and went on their way. On passing the house again in the evening they noticed that the man was still in the same position, so the little girl Hart went and told her mother, and a man named Taylor was informed of the fact. Taylor at once went into the room and saw that the man was quite dead. The police were then called in, but did not touch the body until the arrival of Dr Copland. At the first glance it would seem as if the deceased had poisoned himself, for on a table beside him there were two phials marked "laudanum," both nearly empty, and another peculiarly shaped bottle containing some other soporific drug. The supposition that death had been caused by an over-dose of some of these liquids was strengthened on looking at the position in which the body lay. Dr Copland, however, gave it as his opinion that the immediate cause of death was not due to an over-dose of laudanum, though he stated that to all appearance the man had for some time past been slowly poisoning himself. This is no doubt the proper inference, for it has been ascertained that Marsh, who was in bad health for some time past, has been in the habit of doctoring himself. The room he occupied was at the rear of a house in which two families resided. His room presented a most disordered appearance, for besides the bottles above-mentioned, there was on the table a miscellaneous collection of domestic utensils, in several of which was a quantity of decaying food. On the table there were a number of letters. The deceased was, according to Mr Russell, in the habit of leaving letters about the room. The following is a copy of one of the letters found: —

Dear Mr Russell, — I wish that my body may not have a Christian service read over it. I wish my body to be cast into the ocean, and not covered with "thick calico." The above is my wish. -Samuel Marsh.

In another note was the following: — "Please write of my death to Mrs Fowler, Roe Cottage, Beeston, near Nottingham." The former note Mr Russell states he saw a few days before the deceased died. He was last seen on Friday at noon by Mr Russell, and during the night a woman named Woodroe, living in the same house, heard him coughing. So far as is known Marsh, who has been living in Dunedin for about three months, has no relatives here. He was by profession a mining engineer, and some time ago had a son working in Sparrow's foundry. He came to Dunedin from the Bay of Islands, and had letters of introduction to one of the leading members of the Freethought Association of this city. An inquest will probably be held in a day or two.  -Otago Daily Times, 6/3/1882.

Brief Notes. — No inquest was held on the body of Samuel Marsh. It was deemed unnecessary.  -Tuapeka Times, 15/3/1882.

Samuel Marsh lies in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.

Agnes Weir, (1842-6/11/1880). "the ferocity of a tiger"

Agnes Weir, of Mornington, who was admitted into the Hospital yesterday afternoon suffering from the effects of a dose of poison, died in that institution at an early hour this morning. Her husband, John Weir, being out of employment, had resolved to go up country on a hawking tour, but this did not meet with her approval. This and other family troubles preyed on her mind until she resolved to take poison to end her life.  -Evening Star, 6/11/1880.

An inquest was held at the Hospital yesterday, before Dr Hocken, coroner, and a jury of 12, to elicit the circumstances attending the death of Agnes Weir, who poisoned herself by taking a dose of arsenic at Mornington on Friday morning last. It appears from the evidence that the deceased was found by her husband, John Weir, vomiting and in an exhausted state, about 10 o'clock. He at once brought in a neighbour named Mrs Lockhart, and the woman was ultimately sent to the Hospital. Weir said that he had a few words with his wife the previous night, and that she had admitted taking the poison in consequence. He described her as one possessing "the meekness of a dove and the ferocity of a tiger, but withal a fine woman." She had previously threatened self-destruction, and on one occasion swallowed some sulphate of copper. According to the testimony of Mrs Lockhart, Weir was using foul and abusive language to his wife when she arrived on the scene. The deceased said that she had been an ill-used woman all her life, and that it was on account of her husband calling her names the previous evening she had taken the poison. The Jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity, and the Coroner addressed Weir as follows: — "The Jury wish me to say to you that they consider the condition of mind spoken of in this verdict was caused by your own abusive language towards her, and they also consider that you are worthy of censure for not taking more care of this dangerous poison, knowing that she had frequently threatened to commit suicide, and had on a previous occasion actually taken poison. In that censure I concur."  -Otago Daily Times, 9/11/1880.

William English, (1822-17/6/1880). "I can no longer exist"

Shortly after dusk last evening a boy passing along Water street observed someone lying stretched out inside the porch of the Colonial Bank building. On examination it proved to be the body of a man just dead. The body was taken to the Hospital, where it was refused admission, and after being taken to the Adelaide Hotel was subsequently removed to the Empire Hotel, where an inquest will be held tomorrow. The deceased, whose name was William England, was about fifty years of age, and has for many years practised as a surveyor in Dunedin. Beside the deceased was found a small stopper bottle containing oxalic acid.  -Evening Star, 15/6/1880.

INQUEST.

An inquest was held at the Empire Hotel, Dunedin, on Wednesday, before Dr Hocken, District Coroner, on the body of William England, which was discovered lying in the porch of the Colonial Bank on Monday evening.

The following is the main evidence adduced: —

Archibald Hill Ross, of Princes-street, deposed that he had known the deceased over twenty years. Deceased was a native of Ireland, and would be about 58 or 59 years old at the time of his death. England had been married, but was separated from his wife. He was a Roman Catholic and followed the occupation of a Civil Engineer and surveyor. He had not left any property. Deceased was addicted to drink, and had suffered from delirium tremens. When he was last dismissed from the Public Works Department owing to his drunken habits, he went into witness's shop, and said he would cut his throat. Last saw England alive about two months ago, when he mentioned that Mr Grant, of Granton, had given him 10s. Witness did not think England had been in a sane state of mind for some years. When witness was living in the bush 15 years ago England came to his place with a brace of of pistols, and was then completely insane. England seemed to have been quite mad after taking drink. He was always brooding and melancholy. Witness did not remember having seen England smile. England was so frequently in a state of chronic drunkenness that he became melancholy. It was about two months ago when he told witness that he would cut his throat. England had been an inmate of the Benevolent Institution, and shortly after leaving that he promised to do well for himself. About fourteen years ago England spent L200 in drink within three weeks, and then became quite insane. He formerly occupied the position of District Surveyor at L350 a year and field allowance. Drink was the cause of his downfall. As a professional man England had but few equals, and certainly no superiors.

Frank Manley, a youth, deposed that while going along Water-street on Monday evening he heard deceased moaning in the porch and informed a constable.

Constable Stewart said deceased was alive when he found him. He sent for Dr Reimer, who, on his arrival, said deceased's blood was in circulation. He was conveyed to the hospital, but died before reaching it. Witness found a bottle containing strychnine in deceased's pocket, and also the following letter: —

Cox's Temperance Hotel, Maclaggan street, Dunedin, 14th June, 1880.

My Dear friend, — I am so nervous that I can scarcely direct my pen, but I could not well do what I am forced to do, without saying a word of farewell to my last friend.

I can no longer exist. I know not where to lay my head at night, or to find the price of a meal to appease the constant pain of hunger. You can have no adequate idea of the abhorrence with which I regard the idea of suicide, yet I am compelled to this course as the only one open to me. I am old, disabled from rheumatism, and cannot under the most favourable circumstances expect a long lease of life. If my mind were free as to the morality of the act, I would have no hesitation as to what I should do; but seeing myself so pressed by insuperable difficulties, I have no alternative. — Yours in death,

W. G. England.

 P.S. — I have seen some people since I have written the first part of this note, and I see no hopes for me. Oh. David, it is dreadful to think that a man in the full possession of all his intellectual faculties should be compelled to do what I am going to do. It is horrible. Yet, what can I do? Nothing but that is left to me. Even as if all these things were not enough, the conditions of life in New Zealand are enough to discourage anyone to endure life here. Pity me, your poor friend, W. G. England. 

David Grant, of Granton (Taieri), said he had known the deceased for many years. Witness met England in town about six weeks ago, and spoke to him. England then said he had had nothing to eat for a whole week before that. Witness said it was very hard times surely and gave England half-a-sovereign, and said, "Go away and get something to eat; do not drink it." Witness further said to England, "If you have no means of employment, and no means of existence, you had better come out with me on the farm for three or four weeks, and see if any thing turns up." England then went with witness and remained on the farm at Outram for three weeks, and then he said, "I think I will go back to town again." Witness replied, "Please yourself." England did not give any sign of contemplating suicide. He seemed to be rather low spirited. He was very temperate while he was with witness. Witness did not believe England when he said he had had nothing to eat for a week.

Other evidence was given as to where deceased lived, his habits, his being in want of funds and in low spirits.

The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased had committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity by taking poison, the nature whereof there was not sufficient evidence to show.

The following rider was added to the verdict: — "The jury are of opinion that the Coroner's Court and a morgue for the reception of dead bodies awaiting inquest are urgently required in Dunedin, and they trust the proper authorities will consider the matter without delay."  -Clutha Leader, 18/6/1880.

 

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

Alfred Goldsmith, (1847-1/5/1877). "a drop too much"

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 was laid to rest in an unmarked, pauper's grave in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.

Breaking Windows. 

Theresa Maria Goldsmith was charged with breaking three panes of glass of the value of 3s in a Government cottage at Kensington, occupied by Elizabeth Miller. — Defendant, with an air of injured innocence, denied the charge. The ladies of Kensington, she said, were jealous of her, and on Friday she intended marrying and giving the aristocratic neighborhood the go-by. — His Worship fined her 5s, and ordered her to make good the damage done, in default forty-eight hours’ imprisonment.  -Evening Star, 4/4/1878.