Ethel May Lucas, (1891-1900). "playing the truant"

DISTRESSING FATAL ACCIDENT

A CHILD KILLED ON THE RAILWAY.

A distressing accident occurred on the railway bridge just a little beyond the Pelichet Bay station yesterday afternoon, which resulted in the death of a little girl named Ethel May Lucas, aged 10 years, who resided with her mother ill Moray place, near the Turkish baths. It appears that the little girl, together with a companion named Norah Connor aged seven years, were "playing the truant" from school, and wandered along the line past Pelichet Bay station. They were on the bridge, about 10 yards from the end, when the goods train from Port Chalmers, reaching town at 2.15 p.m., approached. The children so far as can be gathered, saw the train approach, and the younger one got underneath the bridge. The other stood still, probably paralysed with fear, and was struck by the engine on the side of the head and knocked into the water below. The accident was observed from the Pelichet Bay station, and the officials there immediately ran up to the bridge. The body was picked up beneath, but life was evidently quite extinct, — in fact, death must have been instantaneous, as Dr Riley who was sent for, found on examination that the child's neck was broken. The father of deceased William J. Lucas is employed as butcher on the Elingamite. An inquest will be held at 9.30 tins morning.  -Otago Daily Times, 15/6/1900.

INQUEST.

An inquest was held this morning before Mr Coroner Carew and a jury of six (Mr James Todd foreman) on the body of Ethel May Lucas, who was killed on the railway line at Pelichet Bay yesterday afternoon. 

Sarah Barbara Lucas, mother of deceased, said that her daughter was born in Dunedin, and was nine years of age. She was attending the Normal School, and left her home in Moray place yesterday morning to go to school. She returned home a little after twelve o'clock, and left for school again at five minutes past one. Witness expected her home at three o'clock, but the police came to the house a little after that hour and informed her what had happened. She had never heard any complaints of deceased not attending school. 

Charles Belworthy, station-master at Pelichet Bay, said that about 2.10 p.m. yesterday he heard the Palmerston to Dunedin train approaching. On going outside to give the usual signal he saw two girls, the deceased and another girl, on the railway bridge, about 150yds from the station platform. They were facing north in the direction of the engine. As soon as witness saw them they seemed to catch sight of the train. At first they appeared surprised and uncertain which way to go. The engine would then be about 300yds from them. They then turned to come back, and seemed to be frightened, and were holding each other to walk. The younger one, Norah Connor, either fell or dropped down at the south end of the bridge on the town side, and got clear of the line. Immediately afterwards deceased appeared to make a spring to the same side, when the engine caught her and threw her down the embankment on the town side. Deceased appeared to drop on her head. The train came into the station before witness could do anything. He ran to deceased with the guard of the train, and found her lying in the water, which was about 2ft deep. They got her out, and, as far as witness could see, there was no appearance of life. They carried her to the railway station, and telephoned for a doctor and the police. The other girl was not hurt. Dr Riley appeared on the scene shortly afterwards. The engine-driver could not have pulled up any quicker than he did. He had frequently turned children back from going on the line. When witness saw the girls on the bridge be ran back to the station, and with a red flag gave the danger signal. The engine was then about 200 or 250 yards from the girls. 

Dr Riley said that deceased died from a sustained fracture of the skull and a broken neck. 

Alexander Graham said he was driver of the engine of the train from Palmerston to Dunedin yesterday afternoon. He blew the whistle in the ordinary course for the Pelichet Bay station. He was going then about fourteen miles an hour, and had steam shut off. When he whistled he would be about 400 or 450 yards from the station. From the driver's side of the engine he could not see the station until about 160 or 170 yards from it. He was looking for the stationmaster's signal, and at the same time his eye caught the children on the bridge. He was then about twenty yards from them, and the engine partly on the bridge. He applied the brake immediately, and his mate applied sand at the same time. He could not see over the engine as to which part struck the child. Witness could have done no more than he did to check the speed of the engine. The train was a heavy goods one. It was not possible for him to see the children from his position as driver until within twenty or thirty yards from where they were. It was common to find children along the banks of the line between Pelichet Bay and Logan Point. Witness stopped the engine just opposite the station platform. 

Henry Woodhead, fireman on the engine in question, also gave evidence. 

The jury returned a verdict that deceased was accidentally killed by being knocked over by a railway engine; no blame being attached to any person.  -Evening Star, 15/6/1900.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

Alexander Williamson, (1863-24/7/1880). "sleepers on the engine"

INQUEST.

An inquest was held at the St. Kilda Hotel, to-day, before the City Coroner, and a jury of twelve, of whom Mr J, P. Jones was chosen foreman, on the body of Alexander Williamson, who was killed on the reclamation works on Saturday. 

The Coroner said that this was an inquiry into the death of Alexander Williamson, a Harbor Board  employe, who was killed, he believed accidentally, on Saturday last. There was nothing special for him to comment on; it would be for the jury to say whether proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents to the employes. 

James Williamson stated that the deceased, Alexander Williamson, was his son. His age at the time of his death was seventeen. He was a native of the Shetland Islands, and a Presbyterian. 

James Morrison said; I am an enginedriver in the employ of the Harbor Board. About ten o’clock on. Saturday morning last I was shunting loaded waggons past my engine at Jetty street. I had just brought them from the Maitland street works, After uncoupling as usual I went forward about 20ft with the engine, and the deceased put on the coupling rope to the foremost truck. This was done to enable the waggons to travel along one line and the engine another, and to give the waggons an impetus. Before coming to the points I slacked off to allow the deceased to uncouple the rope, which he did, following up the engine with it in his hand. There were nine waggons, five of which ran by the deceased, but the wheel of the sixth I saw strike him as he was lying on the rail. I could not say what caused him to fall, as I did not see him until the waggon went over him. As soon as I saw what happened I went up, and I think death must have been instantaneous. The method of working the trucks with a rope I consider quite safe.

John Johnson, foreman of the Maitland street works, said: I was standing on the main line about twenty yards distant from where the accident occurred. The last time I saw the deceased he had unhooked the rope to follow up the engine, and was about halfway between where the engine was standing and the junction of the lines s that would be about 15ft from the points. I went to shift the points, and whilst so engaged I heard a cry which I think came from the engine-driver, I looked up and saw the deceased lying with his head on the waggon rails. The only way in which I can account for the accident is that the deceased was standing too near to the waggons, one of which struck him on the shoulder and sent him forward. There was no necessity for him to stand so near the waggons, as there is plenty of room away from the rails. The deceased had been with me for the last two years, employed at similar work. There were some sleepers on the engine, but I do not think they in any way caused his death.

Mark Webb, waterman, said: About ten o’clock on Saturday last I was standing on the reclamation works near to where some shunting was going on. The engine passed me and shortly afterwards I heard a cry. I looked up and saw the deceased lying close to the wheels of the last truck. After seeing the deceased attended to I went up and examined the spot where the accident happened. On the back of the engine were placed a number of sleepers, one of which projected about six inches beyond the side of the engine. Some of the sleepers were slewed round, and one of the small pegs in the rear part of the engine had been cut clean off by the rail swinging round. On one of the rails I found a number of blood spots, and towards the end there was more blood than on any other part. From these observations I came to the conclusion that the fifth waggon, the side of which projects farther than the rest, had caught the rails in passing and thus slewed them round, and that the deceased had been struck by the sleeper with the marks of blood on it. I consider that it is a dangerous practice to put sleepers on the engine. 

James Morrison recalled said that he was aware that the sleepers were found slewed round after the accident, but he could not say whether any of them struck the accused. They had often put the sleepers across the engine in the same manner previously, but orders had been given that no more were to be put on as they damaged the smoke-box by catching against the posts at Anderson’s Bay. 

John Johnson, recalled, stated that for his own part he could not see how death could have been caused by the rails across the engine. If they had been projecting beyond the engine 6in they would have struck against the posts at Anderson’s Bay, because there was only 3in between the engine and the posts. Again, as the deceased was found lying, the rail must have been knocked off the engine to strike him at all. 

The Coroner, in summing up, said that it might be fairly concluded that death was caused by the sleeper striking the deceased, although there might be a very good reason for Mr Johnson’s conclusion, viz , that if the sleepers did project more than 8in they would have been knocked off as they passed through the gateway. 

The jury then returned a verdict of “Accidental death,” adding a rider to the effect that they were of opinion that sleepers should not be carried across an engine, but that they should in future he stowed in a safe position upon the trucks.  -Evening Star, 26/7/1880.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

William Paul Cunningham, (1831-6/5/1879). "look out, man!"

FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

An accident, attended with fatal results, occured on the railway line last evening. William Paul Cunningham, master of the steamer Ino, with Mr Henry Guthrie, was crossing over the line at Jetty street when the 5.40 p.m train from Dunedin to Andersons Bay approached. The whistle was sounded, as we are informed by Mr Guthrie and oters, but something seemed to attract Mr Cunningham's attention, and the engine knocked him down, carrying his body about two engine's-lengths along the line. Mr Butchart, the stationmaster at Dunedin, was at once sent for, and he found the body lying between the rails with one of the legs over them. Both legs were nearly severed at the knee joints, and there was a small wound on the crown of the head. The body was removed to the morgue at the Hospital, where an inquest will be held tomorrow. Deceased was married, but leaves no children. His wife keeps a grain store at Kakanui. The crossing in question was protected by gates until recently, when the railway line was altered. A watchman is now kept there until dusk, when the dray traffic ceases, and this man had left his post but a short time before the accident happened.  -Evening Star, 7/5/1879.

FUNERAL NOTICE. 

THE Friends of the late Mr William Paul Cunningham (who was accidentally killed by the train on Tuesday) are respectfully invited to attend his Funera1, which will leave the Hospital, Dunedin, To-morrow (Saturday), the 10th inst., at half-past 2 o'clock, for the Northern Cemetery. WALTER G GEDDES, Undertaker, Octagon.  -Evening Star, 9/5/1879.

Judicial.

INQUEST.

An inquest on the body of William Paul Cunningham, who was killed on the 6th inst. by a train at the Jetty street crossing, was held at the Hospital on the Bth, before D Hocken (coroner) and a jury of 12.

Superintendent Weldon watched the proceedings on behalf of the police. The Coroner said a main object of the inquiry was to see whether the occurrence was the result of a pure accident, or whether there was blame attaching to anyone. As the body was fearfully mangled, there was no doubt death had been instantaneous.

Matthew Halliday deposed that on Tuesday evening last, between 5 and 6 o'clock, he was coming up the Jetty street Jetty with the deceased, when they met Mr Guthrie. As they approached the railway line he saw the train coming. Mr Guthrie and the deceased were about four or five feet ahead of him. Witness called out, "For God's sake, look out, man!" Mr Guthrie caught hold of Mr Cunningham by the coat-collar and attempted to drag him off the rails. The deceased's foot hit against either a stone or one of the rails, and he fell between them. The engine was upon him the moment he fell, and he was dragged along the ground. The train was pulled up as soon as possible, after it had traversed about 25 feet. Witness then saw the body lying on the ground completely smashed. When he first saw the train it was about 15 or 20 feet from the crossing. He could have seen it 50 or 60 feet away if he had looked. He could not say he heard the engine whistle. Cunningham was perfectly sober. He was 48 years of age, and had been married only eight months. Witness thought he could have got across the line had he not caught his foot against the rail or stone. 

John Guthrie deposed: On Tuesday evening, I was walking up Jetty street Wharf in company with the deceased, talking as we crossed the line. I heard somebody call out, "Look out!" I turned my head, and on observing the train I leaped across the rails. The engine pulled up very quickly. I believe if I had jumped a second later I would have been caught by it. I heard a whistle before the accident happened, but did not think of it till afterwards. I was only two or three minutes with the deceased, and could not say whether he was not sober. The engine had lights, and I could have seen the train half-way to the station. I could not have blamed anyone if I had been hurt myself. If there had been a person at the crossing or gate to pass through, I do not think the accident would have happened. 

Frederick Moorhouse, porter at the Dunedin railway station, stated that he was acting as pilot on the engine at the time of the accident. When 200 yards from the Jetty street crossing, witness saw two gentlemen walking very slowly from the jetty to the roadway. They were about six yards from the line, and the driver whistled, and kept on doing so until within two yards of them. He then shut off the steam and reversed the engine. It was dusk. Witness saw Mr Guthrie jump forward. The deceased tried to jump backwards, but slipped, and the left hand side of the engine caught him and knocked him down. The train was going at the rate of five or six miles an hour. 

Thomas Foote, enginedriver, said he was on the engine of the 5.45 train to Anderson's Bay. On leaving the station the alarm whistle was blown as an alarm for the crossing. Witness saw two persons approaching the crossing when the whistle was blown. They still walked on, and witness kept whistling. When the train was within 20 feet of them witness saw that they were in danger. He then shut off steam and reversed the engine. The fireman had the brake screwed down as far as it would go. Witness saw one of the men look towards the train and then jump forward. He put his hand backwards, and witness did not know whether he pulled or pushed the other man. The enginedrivers have instructions to blow the whistle and proceed cautiously at crossings. The train was going at the rate of about seven miles an hour. The whistle was open from the time the engine started. 

Alexander Day, who was a passenger by the train, gave evidence as to the whistle sounding so shrilly that he could not hear his own voice. He thought the whistle was quite sufficient to warn anyone. 

Henry Guthrie, shipping agent, residing in Dunedin, deposed: I saw the deceased about 5 o'clock on the day of the accident, and he then seemed as if he had had a little liquor. He was talking to me, and I could detect, by his manner and the way he was speaking that he had had some drink. He could walk quite steadily. 

Thomas Butchart deposed: I am stationmaster at Dunedin. On Tuesday evening Moorhouse came and told me that there had been an accident at the Jetty street crossing. On arriving there I saw the train just beyond the crossing, and the body of the deceased lying between the rails, with the left leg over one of the rails. He was quite dead, and the body was taken to the Hospital. The whistling of the train was unusually long. A single line of rails goes over the Jetty street crossing. A man is stationed there when dray traffic is on, and his duty is to keep vehicles back when a train is passing. He was not there at the time of the accident, for he does not stay after half past 5. There is very little traffic after that time. Alterations have recently been made to the main line by the Public Works Department. There are no gates to the crossing. There were gates previously. I do not know whether it is intended to re-erect them. The permanent way is under the charge of the engineer. Hardly anyone crosses the line there after dark. 

Alexander Grant, general manager Dunedin section of railways, stated that the only protection used at the crossings, with one or two exceptions, was the whistle of the engine. Alterations have been made near the Jetty street crowing, and the fence and gate have been taken down. It is not intended to re-erect these, as they are considered unnecessary. Witness thought the whistle was a sufficient safeguard. 

This was all the evidence, and the Coroner asked the Jury to say whether the deceased met his death accidentally, or whether any blame was attached to any of the railway authorities. It seemed to him that every precaution had been taken. 

A verdict was returned to the effect that the deceased met his death accidentally. The Jury considered that no blame was attachable to the railway authorities.  -Otago Witness, 17/9/1879.

William Cunningham lies in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.

7/1328 Trooper Robert Vernon Armstrong, (5/12/1882-12/12/1915). "his splendid good nature"

Personal — Trooper Vernon Armstrong, son of Mr G. Armstrong, Akaroa, is at home on his final leave. He goes into the sixth Mounted Reinforcements. Trooper Armstrong has been in the Hospital with influenza, and speaks very highly of the way in which he was looked after while in the hospital. He is excellent health now.  -Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23/7/1915.

PENINSULA ROLL OF HONOUR.

TROOPER R. V. ARMSTRONG.

Mr Geo. Armstrong, of Akaroa, received word on Tuesday evening that his Bon, Trooper Vernon Arm strong, who left with the Sixth Reinforcements, is dangerously ill with enteric at St John's Hospital, Malta. Both Mr Massey and the Hon. Jas. Allen telegraphed Mr Armstrong expressing a hope for his speedy recovery.  -Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 10/12/1915.

PENINSULA ROLL OF HONOUR.

TROOPER ROBERT VERNON ARMSTRONG

On Tuesday last, Mr Geo. Armstrong, the Mayor of Akaroa received word that his son, Trooper Vernon Armstrong who left with the 6th Reinforcements had died of enteric at Malta. A previous cable stated that he was progressing, and it was hoped he was on his recovery. The news came as a great shock to all, as Trooper Armstrong was a well known, and very much liked boy in Akaroa and the Peninsula. Trooper Armstrong went straight to Gallipoli upon reaching Egypt, and evidently was on the Peninsula for six weeks or two months. His brother Lincoln is still in Egypt. 

Trooper Vern Armstrong was 25 years of age, and was the fifth son of Mr Armstrong. He lived at Akaroa most of his life, and was for some months with his brother George at Hamilton prior to his enlisting. He left for the front in perfect health. He was a keen footballer, and for a number of years was one of the best forwards in the Akaroa team. He also took a keen interest in rowing, cricket, and sport. His splendid good nature won him many friends, and the news of his death was received with the sincerest regret by a very large portion of the community. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Peter's Anglican Church, Akaroa, on Sunday evening, when the members of the Oddfellows' Lodge Akaroa, of which Trooper Armstrong was a member, the Akaroa Borough Council and members of the local sports clubs will attend. The Rev. A. H. Julius will conduct the service.  -Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18/12/1915.

Robert Armstrong lies in the Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta.

Robert Ingram Stewart, (1886-9/1/1907). "could not help it"

SUICIDE AT SOUTH DUNEDIN.

A man named Robert Ingram Stewart, aged twenty-one, residing with his parents at 75 Oxford street, South Dunedin, committed suicide at his home some time late last night or early this morning. He was last seen alive about eleven o'clock last night, when he was with his brother in the kitchen. Early this morning his body was discovered lying on its back in the yard, fully dressed, with a bullet wound above the right ear and a loaded sixchambered revolver, one chamber discharged, lying between his legs. Deceased had been employed as a striker at Reid and Gray's foundry until three months ago, since when he had been out of work. He suffered from severe mental depression, and had been under the treatment of Dr Macpherson for about a year. Deceased left a letter to his parents and members of the family in which he said: "Extremely sorry, but could not help it. Was overcome with depression. You have done all you can for me." An inquest on the body is proceeding as we go to press.  -Evening Star, 9/1/1907.

INQUEST.

An inquest was conducted yesterday afternoon, by the coroner (Mr C. C. Graham, S.M.) on the body of Robert Ingram Stewart, who shot himself the night previous at his parents' residence, 75 Oxford street, South Dunedin. 

Dr McPherson deposed that he had been attending deceased for some time for mental depression, and he was not surprised at what had happened, as deceased was in a fair way to becoming a melancholic. Deceased complained that he was unable to take any interest in his work or anything else. On his advice deceased went into the country for a change in October last, returning after three weeks. In November he attended deceased for an attack of influenza, which aggravated the depression. He would not go so far as to say that he thought deceased was of unsound mind at the time of death. 

Henry Manning Stewart, deceased's father, said deceased had left his employment on account of the state of his health, Though physically strong, he suffered from great depression of spirits. He had once previously threatened to do away with himself just before going away to the country, showing his mother — who was advising him to look after himself — a revolver and saying that if she said any mere to him he would blow his brains out. Witness last saw deceased alive at about eight o'clock on Tuesday night, when he seemed in his usual condition. 

Charles Bradlaugh Stewart, brother of deceased, said that deceased and he usually occupied the same bed. Deceased had once previously said to him: "I think I can get to Australia, and if that doesn't cure me I think I will cure myself some other way." Witness construed that to mean that unless he got better he would do away with himself. Witness knew that deceased had a revolver, and on discovering that his brother suffered from a mental disorder advised him to throw it away. Deceased subsequently said he had done so. On Tuesday night witness left his brother in the kitchen at about 10.45, and went to bed, deceased stating that he wished to write to a friend in Central Otago. At about 4.30 next morning be discovered that his I brother had not come to bed. He found the light burning in the kitchen, and saw deceased's body in the yard outside. He informed his parents, and then notified the police. 

Constable Dark, stationed at South Dunedin, gave evidence as to the notification of the police and the examination of the body. He stated that Mr and Mrs Jenkins, neighbors of the Stewarts, heard a shot at 11.15 p-m. on Tuesday, but did not pay much attention to it.

The jury returned a verdict of suicide by shooting while in a temporary state of insanity produced by despondency.  -Evening Star, 10/1/1907.

Robert Stewart lies in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.

Edward Gibbs, (1856-10/3/1907). "the pain he was enduring"

 SUICIDES.

Little expecting to witness a gruesome spectacle, Mr S. P. Leith, in company with Mr J. Hogg, entered his livery stables in Manor street shortly after eight o'clock yesterday morning, and there found the body of Edward Gibbs, a groom, hanging by the neck. Dr Gordon Macdonald was summoned, and pronounced life extinct. The body was accordingly removed to the morgue by the police. Gibbs was fifty-one years of age, and of late had been in bad health and greatly depressed. These facts no doubt furnish the cause of the man's action, for the circumstances point to suicide. Mr Leith last saw his groom at eleven o'clock on Saturday evening. Gibbs lived by himself on the premises. An inquest was to have been held by Mr Widdowson, coroner, at five o'clock this afternoon.  -Evening Star, 11/3/1907.

SUICIDE BY HANGING.

An inquest was hold at the Morgue yesterday afternoon on the body of Edward Gibbs who was found dead on Sunday morning hanging by a rope from one of the rafters in Mr S. P. Leith's livery stables in Manor street, where he had been engaged as a groom. Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., acted as coroner, and Henry Thomas Trevena was chosen foreman of the jury. Station-sergeant King represented the police. 

Dr Gordon Macdonald stated that he was called to Mr Leith's stable in Manor street about 8.30 on Sunday morning. He found the body of the deceased hanging by a rope from one of the rafters. The body was quite cold, and the man had evidently been dead for some two or three hours. There was a box under his feet. The deceased had evidently stood on this, and after fastening the rope round his neck jumped off it, or kicked it away. His feet were just off the ground.

Samuel Pellett Leith said that deceased had been employed at his stables as groom, for the past 12 months. Deceased slept in a room in the stables. Witness last saw him alive about 11 o'clock on Saturday night, when he appeared to be in fairly good spirits. For the past three months deceased had been very melancholy, and appeared to be fretting over something, and had often said that he was tired of this world. Apart from that he had never said anything to witness to indicate that he contemplated suicide. 

David John Stuart Robertson, farmer, residing at Tomahawk, said he last saw deceased alive at the stables door at about 12 o'clock on Saturday night, when he (witness) called to get his horse. Deceased was then in a fairly cheerful mood. 

John Gibbs, a son of the deceased, said his father had frequently complained to him of being in ill-health. That appeared to worry him a good deal. A week ago deceased said that with the pain he was enduring he could lay down and die. On Saturday night he complained of being worse than ever he had been. Witness had been informed by Dr Long, who had attended deceased, that his father was suffering from a stroke of paralysis and lumbago, and was generally run down. Deceased's wife had been dead for some years. 

Evidence was also given by John Ogg, alter which the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased had committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity.  -Otago Daily Times, 12/3/1907.

Edward Gibbs has no recorded resting place.

William Millar, (1867-28/8/1907). "ruined in body and soul"

A PRISON TRAGEDY.

PRISONER HANGS HIMSELF IN A CELL. 

The Dunedin Gaol was the seen© of a distressing tragedy to-day, when a man named William Millar, aged forty, a recent arrival from Scotland, who was arrested last night on a charge of being drunk and incapable, hanged himself with the leather belt he had been wearing. Millar was brought before the magistrate, Mr C. C. Graham, this morning at 10.30, and was remanded for a week for medical treatment, his condition being such as to make it evident that he had been drinking heavily for some time. At twelve o'clock Millar received his dinner in his cell at the prison, and ate the greater part of it. At one o'clock Warder O'Reilly looked into the cell, and found Millar suspended by the neck from a small hook in the wall, about five feet from the ground. The man, who was considerably over five feet high, had fastened himself to the hook by his belt, and deliberately strangled himself. 

Apparently the cause of the suicide was the acute depression produced by over-drinking. It is known that Millar was in no financial difficulties. So far as is known the man has no friends or relatives in Dunedin.  -Evening Star, 28/8/1907.

A PRISON TRAGEDY.

THE INQUEST ON MILLAR.

An inquest touching the death of William Millar, who hanged himself in the Dunedin gaol yesterday, was held this morning before Mr C. C. Graham (coroner) and a jury of six of whom Mr Charles Henry Hayward, was chosen foreman. 

Dr James Watt deposed that he attended the deceased professionally on the evening prior to the suicide at his home, and saw him again at the gaol the same evening. Deceased had been drinking, but was not under the influence of drink at the time. From conversation Millar appeared to be depressed, not only from drink, but also from a certain illness. When witness saw deceased again at the police station, at the invitation of the police, be was in a state of depression, and thought the doctor was going to smother him. Witness saw no signs tint would lead him to think that deceased contemplated suicide. 

To Sub-inspector Norwood: Judging by the man’s demeanor he came to the conclusion that deceased was suffering from drink. He thought that it was not a case to be sent to the hospital. He thought that the man should have been placed in a padded cell. 

To Dr Coughtrey: The onus of the treatment of such cases should not be thrown upon the police at all. All cases of insanity should be treated in a properly equipped hospital, provided with observation wards. That was the course pursued in the Old Country. 

John Miller, licensee of the Oban Hotel, deposed that he had known deceased since the latter came to the colony in May. Witness had no previous knowledge of the deceased. Deceased remained six weeks with witness, and then went down to the Nuggets, where he remained for six weeks. He returned to the Oban Hotel a fortnight ago last Monday, and remained with witness ever since. Deceased, on his return, was not drunk, but looked as if he had been drinking whilst he was away. Deceased told witness that he had been away fishing and walking. He told witness that he was well off financially. On his return at seven o’clock on Monday night he had tea, went out, and returned at half-past ten, very intoxicated. He did not snow any signs of mental incapacity until the afternoon of the 27th. About six o’clock on Monday night he said he was suffering from some serious disorder. Witness then took deceased to Dr Watt, where they discussed the advisability of sending him to a private hospital for treatment. During his stay witness used to take him for walks every morning. Witness used to discourage him from drinking, but it was no good, as he simply went away from his hotel and returned under the influence of liquor. Witness never anticipated that the deceased would commit suicide. Deceased came from Paisley, where he had two sisters living. It was not until Tuesday that he behaved in an eccentric manner. Witness identified the body as that of the man Millar who had stayed at his hotel.

Constable Lopdell said that about 8.50 on Tuesday night he was in the Salvation Army Barracks, Dowling street, and during the progress of the meeting the deceased came in and called one of the officers, who referred the constable to deceased. They went to the street and had a long conversation. The deceased said that he overheard two doctors say they were going to smother him, as he was a menace to public health. His reason for calling at the Salvation Army was that he knew he was going to die, and he wished to make his peace with his God. He was in an excited condition, and was perspiring very freely. He smelt strongly of stale drink, but did not seem to have been drinking at that immediate time. From what deceased said he had been drinking heavily. He said that last week he had been on a spree, but had not had a drink since Tuesday morning. He only knew the actual nature of the disorder he was suffering from that morning (Tuesday). When he was advised of his condition by the doctor, he said he was ruined in body and soul. He said he was to be smothered at nine o’clock. Witness assured deceased that he would be protected over that time, and brought him to the police station. At the police station witness was instructed to call Dr Watt, who had previously attended the deceased. Dr Watt arrived at nine o’clock. The draught which the doctor left was administered by witness. The deceased was placed in the padded cell, and was visited frequently during the night. Deceased gave his age as forty, and said he was a bank clerk in Scotland. He was a single man, and arrived in the colony in May. He had no relatives in the colony. Witness thought the man was suffering from delirium tremens, and charged him with helpless drunkenness, which was the usual charge in each cases.

Sub-inspector Norwood deposed that when the deceased was brought to him at the police station the latter was in an excited condition, and was sweating profusely. When questioned he admitted drinking to excess, and said that be had obtained the liquor about town. He was placed in the padded cell, and instructions were given for his safe keeping, and, if necessary, to call in Dr Watt. Deceased appeared much better the following morning, and was brought before the Court on a charge of drunkenness and remanded for a week for medical treatment. On arriving in the colony his bank book showed that he had £400, but witness could not say bow much had been spent. After being remanded deceased was handed over to the prison authorities.

Edwin Glover, the Gaol clerk, deposed that at 11.3 yesterday deceased was brought to the gaol. Witness conversed with him, and could see no signs of mental aberration. Witness was informed by Sergeant Willis, who conducted the prisoner to the gaol, that he was suffering from some disease. On returning from his lunch witness went to his office, and at 1.3 the warder informed him that Millar had hanged himself in his cell. The doctor was telephoned for, and witness and the gaoler went to the cell, where deceased lay on the floor. The straps which had strangled him had been removed, and there appeared to be no signs of life. Everything was done to produce artificial respiration. Dr Coughtrey arrived at 1.12, and pronounced life to be extinct. 

To the Coroner: There is no padded cell in the gaol or I would have put the prisoner there.

Thomas Chilton, principal warder, deposed that he asked deceased how long he had been drinking, and was informed “about a fortnight.” Deceased behaved in an ordinary way, and walked up and down with the others. Witness gave instructions that Warder McDonald should take in the prisoner’s dinner. McDonald was on duty during the lunch hour. The strap (produced) witness recognised as one which the deceased had worn. There went no suspicious noises.

James O’Reilly, warder, deposed that he was in charge of the yard between 11 and 12. It was his duly to walk up and down the yard outside the ceils. At about ten minutes to twelve deceased was given his dinner, and seemed quite calm and collected. At about one o’clock witness visited the cells and half opened the doors, so that the dinner tins could he placed outside. Witness specially visited the prisoner because he was a new man, to tell him to come into the yard. Deceased appeared to be sleeping in the corner furthest from the door, but on closer examination witness could see that he was suspended from a hook in the wall about five feet from the floor. Witness, with the help of a prisoner, took the strap from off the man’s neck. He appeared to be dead. Artificial respiration was tried until the doctor came, but without effect.

Dr Coughtrey, gaol surgeon, deposed that on his arrival he found the deceased oi his back practically dead. Witness along with others, persevered with the restorative treatment, without avail. Witness from the first thought it was a hopeless case. Afterwards he examined the body, and found that the strap had caused death by being placed round the chin. Witness formed the opinion that the act had been committed probably half to three-quarters of an hour before the body was discovered. There were no indications of a struggle. Such an act as that committed usually took about three to ten minutes. Witness concurred with the remarks made by Dr Watt as to the proper treatment of such cases, and drew attention to clause 2a in the last annual report of the Inspector of Prisons, protesting against delirium tremens cases being sent to prison for treatment, and suggesting that an end be put to the unfortunates being treated in such places as prisons. The Auckland gaoler had also protested that the practice of treating delirium tremens cases in prisons was unfair to patients and prisoners. A depression due to alcoholism had often given rise to suicidal tendencies, and especially in persons of unstable minds suffering from specific disease. There was a padded cell at the hospital, which, if used for civil cases of alcoholism, should also be used for prison cases. There was nothing in deceased’s condition to raise suspicions in the lay mind.

The Coroner said there could be no doubt that the man’s death was caused by hanging. Alter the evidence he thought they must conclude that the man was in the incipient stages of delirium tremens, and was not responsible for his actions. 

The jury returned the verdict of suicide by hanging while temporarily insane, and a rider was added that the attention of the proper authorities should he called to the necessity of having observation wards where such cases could be treated otherwise than in prisons or police stations.  -Evening Star, 29/8/1907.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.