Jules Lanseigne, (1834-30/4/1875). "my dear Adele"

SUICIDE.

This morning a rumor, which was soon verified, obtained currency through the town to the effect that Mr Jules Lanseigne, woolsorter, had been missing from his residence since the previous day. It appears that yesterday, at about 10 a. m., that gentleman left his house when only partly dressed and having a dressing gown on. He had of late sustained heavy losses in the course of his business, and, it being discovered that on Thursday be purchased strychnine from a chemist in town, his friends became alarmed at his absence. A party started this morning in search, Sergeant Anderson also being sent out. by the police authorities, and discovered the body of Mr Lanseigne in the bush at the back of his house at Caversham, which is that formerly occupied by the late Mr Cantrell. He is supposed to have poisoned himself with the strychnine he purchased on Thursday. Mr Lanseigne, who was French Consul at this spot, leaves a widow and three young children.  -Evening Star, 1/5/1875.

MR LANSEIGNE'S DEATH.

Mr T. M. Hocken, District Coroner, held an inquest on the body of the late Mr Lanseigne, at the deceased gentleman’s house, some distance above Caversham, to-day. The following evidence was given: — 

Adele Lanseigne: I am the wife of the deceased — Jules Eugene Lanseigne. He was fortyone years of age at the time, and a Roman Catholic by religious persuasion. On Friday morning my husband came to me at a quarter to ten, and asked me to have dinner ready at twelve o'clock sharp, so that he might go to town soon after. He then appeared to be in ordinary health. A quarter of an hour afterwards I saw him in the coach-house. About 1 went to tell him to dress for dinner, but could not find him. In a moment I thought he had gone mad and run away, as some weeks ago he appeared to be half paralysed, and his head wandered. He frequently complained of his head being too heavy for his body. The greater part of last week he was very bad and would say to me, “Don’t let them take me away. Keep me here.” He would speak as though there was some one in the room. We were very much troubled with rats, but my husband never told me that he had bought strychnine to kill them last week. That he should do away with his with was the last thing that I should have thought. Being unable to find him on Friday, although assisted by the household in the search I sent for the police and a search party also went to look for him next day. He was found about twelve o clock next day, and was then dressed precisely as when I last saw him. I had wanted to have a doctor for him, but he refused to have midecal advise, saying "No doctor can do any good for my head."

George K Dermer, chemist and druggist Dunedin, deposed that on Thursday eveninSg deceased purchased some strychnine from him, saying that he wanted it for the rats which were destroying his apples. He gave him fifteen grains, a receipt for which is signed in poison book now produced. Witness appeared to be very agreeable and pleasant. On Thursday deceased seemed to be more gay and lively than usual. 

Robert B. Wilson, baker, Caversham, deposed that on Saturday morning last a search party was formed to look for Mr Lanseigne, who, it was reported, was missing. Witness, after searching for a few minutes, found him lying at the outskirts of the bush near his garden. The body was lying quite exposed. He was then quite dead. A cup with half a teaspoonful of transparent liquid, and also an empty bottle, were lying by his side. [The cup and bottle were here produced.] I did not taste the liquid. By his side was also found a piece of paper marked “Strychine — poison.” [Mr Dernier identified the label as that which he gave to deceased on Thursday night.] 

Constable Carter, who saw deceased immediately after his body was found, also gave evidence as to the finding of the things enumerated by last witness. On searching the body he found the three letters now produced in his left-hand coat pocket. One was addressed to Madame Lanseigne, one to his brother, Emile, and one to Mr W. B. Davis. (The two first were translated by Mr L. Court, who appeared very much affected in reading them.) That addressed to his wife ran thus: “My dear Adele, I am mad. When you receive this letter I believe I shall be out of this world. I had hoped to have had time to see to everything before my position would be opened to the public, but I cannot bear the idea of being brought before a court of justice. Please God to pardon me, but I kill myself to try to save you from misery. Go back to France with the dear children.” In the letter addressed to Mr Davis, he said: “I leave everything to your hands, and what you may get from my life insurance, or in future, I leave to my children.” 

W. B. Davis, commercial traveller, had known the deceased for about twelve years. Witness last saw him on Thursday. He was then very excited, in consequence, as he told witness, of being unable to meet certain bills which were due. Although troubled in business for the past twelve months, he was one of the last men who witness would have thought would have committed suicide.

Louis Court gave similar evidence. In talking to deceased at witness’s hotel last Thursday evening, they referred to the proposed Masonic Ball to be given to the Governor, and witness remarked that deceased had had too much drink. Deceased replied that his head was affected, but not by drink. 

The jury, in accordance with the Coroner’s instructions, returned a verdict that deceased died from strychine, taken while in a state of temporary insanity. 

We understand that the deceased gentleman’s life was insured for L1,000. His funeral, which will take place to-morrow, will be attended by the Masons, who will appear in full regalia. The funeral service will be read by the Ven. Archdeacon Edwards, in accordance with Mrs Lanseigne’s wish, and the body will be interred in the Church of England cemetery. It is proposed that the cortege shall leave the Masonic Hall, and a meeting of Masons will be held at Court’s Hotel to-night, to finally arrange for the burial. The Masonic services will also be performed at the grave, and four Masons will act as chief mourners.  -Evening Star, 3/5/1875.

Burial in the Church of England Cemetery was presumably due to the Catholic tradition of refusing burial in consecrated ground to suicides.

FUNERAL OF M. LANSEIGNE.

The remains of M. Lansiegne were borne from the Masonic Hall to their final resting place in the Church of England cemetery this afternoon, the Masons attending in full regalia. The procession, which extended from Jetty to Rattray streets, was formed as follows; Masons — Celtic Lodge, 16; Port Chalmers Marine 8; Saint Andrew’s, 14; Lodge Otago 11; Royal Archmen, 11; Lodge Kilwinning (to which the deceased gentleman belonged), 30; hearse and eight pall bearers, also masons; mourning coach with Master Lanseigne and Messrs W. B. Davis, Maish, and Park as chief mourners, general public, vehicles, etc. At the grave the funeral service was performed by the Rev. Mr. Martin and the Masonic service by Mr. V. Pyke,. P.W.G.M,. (Scottish Const.) who stated that the service was performed in conformity with the established rule, and at the request of the deceased. The masons were there to prove their inviolable attachment to him.  -Evening Star, 4/5/1875.

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

Francis H. Malloch, (1836-28/8/1870). "late a clerk"

 MAYOR'S COURT.

This Day (Before his Worship the Mayor, and E. B. Cargill, Esq., J.P.) 

DRUNKENNESS. John Harrison and Archibald Bannatyne were each fined 5ss, and Francis H. Malloch, who did not appear, had his bail forfeited.   -Evening Star, 16/8/1870.

FUNERAL NOTICE. 

THE Friends of the late Francis H. Malloch are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the Cemetery. The Funeral to move from his late residence, Maitland street, THIS DAY, at 3 o'clock.

J. & SPICER, Undertaker, George street, near Red House.  -Otago Daily Times, 30/8/1870.

An inquest was held at Crone's Hotel, Maitland street, yesterday afternoon, on the body of Francis H. Malloch, aged 34 years, and late a clerk in the Bank of Otago, who was found dead in bed on Sunday at noon. It appeared that he had purchased an ounce of laudanum from Mr Reid, chemist, on Saturday last. Dr Alexander, who made the postmortem examination, said he was unable to detect the presence of laudanum in the stomach, as decomposition had set in, but from the general appearance of the body, coupled with the evidence he had heard, he came to the conclusion that the deceased had poisoned himself by taking laudanum. The jury returned a verdict of "Self destruction."  -Otago Daily Times, 30/8/1870.

Francis Malloch was presumably buried in Dunedin's southern Cemetery, but the Council records contain no mention of him.

Henry Mahen, (1818?-23/7/1868). "not able to pay for a bed"

 

A man named Henry Mahen, hanged himself yesterday morning, at the Universal Hotel, Maclaggan street. Mahen was staying at the public house, and at one o'clock yesterday morning, he was lying on a sofa in the dining-room, where he had been in the habit of sleeping, as he was not able to pay for a bed. At seven o'clock, the landlord found the poor fellow hanging by a piece of thin cord, which had been knotted to the balusters of the stairs. He was quite dead. — The deceased was about 50 years of age, and a native of Jersey. He was sober, when he was last seen alive; but during the last two months, he was three times in custody for drunkenness.  -Otago Daily Times, 27/7/1868.

The Acting Coroner, Mr W. D. Murison, held an inquiry yesterday at the Hospital, into the cause of the death of Henry Mahen. Thomas Pavelitch, proprietor of the Universal Hotel, said the deceased had been lodging at his house. He saw the deceased at one o'clock on Sunday morning lying asleep on the sofa, and about seven o'clock observed him apparently sitting on the stairs. Upon examination he found that Mahen was dead, and there was a rope round his neck, which was suspended from the balustrade of the staircase. George Cenrick stated that he had seen the deceased at half-past four on Sunday morning on the stairs, and had asked him why he did not go to bed, but receiving no reply, had gone away. Constable Keligher described the position in which the body was when he had been called in. The medical evidence was to the effect that death was caused by strangulation. The jury found that the deceased had committed suicide while in a state of temporary in. sanity.  -Otago Daily Times, 27/7/1868.

Henry Mahen lies in an unmarked grave in Dunedin's Southern Cemetery.

John Brown, (1838-5/2/1864). "thought he was going mad"

A man named John Brown, in the employ of Mr. Barnes, road contractor, was working with two mates on the road now being made in that neighbourhood. On the night of the 4th he woke his tc telling them that he believed he was going out of his mind, and requested to go into town with him in order that he might give himself up to the police. They came in accordingly, and during the night went to the police station, where Brown repeated his statement and asked to be token into custody. The sergeant in charge could discern nothing whatever in the conduct of the man to justify taking him in charge, and, refusing to do so, after a short time the three went away. About 11 o'clock Brown left his work, and about twelve his mates, on searching, found him hanging by a piece of thin cord to a tree in the neighborhood of their tent. They at once cut him down but life was quite extinct. Information was given to the police and the body was brought into town, where it awaits an inquest at the Robin Hood Hotel. Some money found on his person, together with money handed over to the police as belonging to the deceased, amounted to £37 10s, and by a pocket book it appeared that he had a sum of £110 deposited in the Bank of New South Wales for 12 months. In this pocket book an entry, apparently made just before he destroyed himself, appears as follows: — "I am a native of Northallerton, Yorkshire, 25 years of age, December 6, 1863 John Brown." It does not appear that deceased was subject to insanity, but full particulars will no doubt be disclosed at the inquest.  -Press, 10/2/1864

'

An inquest was held on Monday at the Robin Hood, on the body of John Brown, who hanged himself on Friday morning last at the Kaikora valley. Olaf Teber, who was mate of deceased, had resided in the same tent for seven weeks with him. During this time deceased showed no symptoms of abberation of intellect; and there did not appear to be the slightest grounds for supposing that he contemplated suicide. Deceased was an unmarried man, about 24 years of age, and was from Northallerton, in Yorkshire. It seems that he had been appointed foreman over some work in King street, under Mcvenzie's contract, and in the morning preceding the day of his death, he said that he regretted it, because it compelled him to separate from Teber. Early on Friday morning he woke Teber and said, "Olaf, I believe I am going out of my senses, I do not know what is coming over me. I have got some money in the Maitland Bank, and some in my pocket. I have a brother in Maitland." Deceased had come from the Sydney side, and had been in New Zealand about two years. Teber told him to go to sleep and he would be better in the morning, and this seemed to tranquilise him for a few moments. After that interval he again said that he thought he was going mad, and asked Teber to take him into town and give him up to the police. After some hesitation Teber got up and, accompanied by another man who lived in the adjoining tent, went down to the police office; but on the road deceased seemed to recover, and said it was folly to give himself up. The party proceeded, however, and on arrival at the station he stated his case, and requested the police to take charge of him. The constable on duty declined to lock him up, stating that he (the constable) did not see anything that would justify him in doing so. At that time deceased appeared perfectly sane, and the three returned. On the way deceased said that he knew the police would not take him in charge as he felt quite right. He went to bed, and in the morning got up and made breakfast for himself and mate, and then went down to the contractor, Mr Barnes, to settle about some work on the Kaikora. He seemed in better spirits, and spoke about again working with Teber. The work was not to be settled about till the afternoon, and deceased not feeling well, said he would go back to the tent to take some medicine and lie down. Teber returned to the tent about one o'clock, and found that deceased was out. His coat was lying on the bed, and two knives belonging to him were also lying there and newly sharpened. Teber instantly suspected something was wrong, and went out in search, but had gone a very short distance- before he found deceased hanging to a tree in a wood near the creek. At that time he was quite dead, and Teber, with a neighbor, cut him down. On searching his pocketo L31 in notes, six shillings, and a receipt on the Maitland Bank were found. From the evidence of another witness, Frederick Palmer, overseer to Mr Flaxman, it appears that on the morning of Friday deceased applied for work, though he had then two engagements. Mr Palmer could not give him work then, but asked him to call again. Deceased appeared very low spirited then, but Mr Palmer attributed it to being out of work. The police constable to whom deceased applied at the watchhouse, and who attended when information of the suicide was given, gave similar evidence to that of the previous witnesses, and proved that the death of deceased must have been by his own act. The pocket book of deceased contained amongst other things the address of an unmarried female in England, with some doggrel love verses. There could be no doubt that deceased committed suicide while laboring under temporary insanity, for he had been a sober steady man, and a verdict to that effect was returned.  -Otago Witness, 13/2/1864.

Robert William Eves, (1832-4/3/1864). "a letter from a a female"

SUICIDE IN DUNEDIN.

(From the Daily News.) It is our painful duty to record the termination of another existence. It appears that at about seven o'clock Friday morning, the body of a man was found in Constitution-street, strangled by being tied to a fence with a pocket handkerchief. The legs were upon the ground, one being bent under the other, almost in a kneeling position. The body was still warm when discovered. It was immediately cut down and conveyed to the York Hotel, in George-street, where it now lies awaiting the coroner's inquest, which will be held this day. The body has since been recognised as that of Henry W. Eves, a lawyer's clerk, who had been in the employ of several legal gentlemen in this city, and recently had a desk in Mr Haggit's office. He was for a long time with Mr Pitman, solicitor, Sandhurst, and Mr Wilson, at Castlemaine, and bore a high character for respectability and honesty. He is about 30 years of age. Upon his person was found the sum of £ll9, in notes, gold, silver, and a cheque, together with a watch, valuable gold ring, a nugget of gold, two keys, a letter from a female, and sundry other papers. Strange to say he had on three coats, one quite new, evidently purchased the evening before, as the shop ticket was still upon it, quite fresh. We are given to understand that he was seen last evening in the Arcade, between nine and ten o'clock. The cause of his terminating his existence in so rash and unhappy a manner, is completely shrouded in mystery. Immediate want as a cause is completely out of the question, as besides the money found upon him he could make at least £l0 per week engrossing. It has been suggested to us that in all probability a love affair has been the cause of this unfortunate young man rushing so rashly into the presence of his Maker. However doubtless, at the inquest much light will be; thrown upon this truly melancholy affair.   -Lake Wakatip Mail, 5/3/1864.

THE CASE OF SUICIDE.

An inquest was held on Saturday by Doctor Hocken, the coroner, at the York Hotel, George street, on the body of Robert William Eves, some particulars connected with whose death have already been published. After the jury had been sworn, and had viewed the body, which was lying in an outhouse, the following evidence was taken: —

John Macintosh: I am a carter, and live in Melville street. I knew the deceased for seven weeks, during which time he lodged in my house. I last saw him alive between seven and eight o'c1ock on Thursday evening. He had been complaining of being unwell, but this evening he was smiling. I spoke to him ns he came down stairs, and asked how he felt. He said, "I never felt better in my life." He asked my wife for a book he had lent her, "The Woman in White," and when she gave it him he asked me if I would like to read it. I declined. He then went out; but at the door he turned and said, "Adieu! Mrs Macintosh. Adieu! Mr Macintosh." I never heard him use such words before, but they did not at the time strike me as peculiar. He went out every evening, but he generally said only that he was going for a short stroll. He was very temperate and regular in his habits, and I never noticed anything peculiar in his manner, except that he did not like to be contradicted. He has told me that he preferred the Caversham Road for a walk, because of the sea air. I do not think he played cards or gambled, or even made a bet. I never knew anything about his money matters. I did not even know what he was until after his death. The illness of which he complained was a sort of headache and sickness at the stomach — such as there is a good deal of going about. I've felt it myself.

By Jurors: I know that the deceased went out to walk three times with a young woman who did some needlework for my wife She was up last evening and seemed to think this would not have happened if she had seen him. There was nothing like an engagement between them. I never was more astonished in my life than when I heard of what the deceased had done The young woman told me she had promised to meet the deceased near the Robin Hood last Saturday evening, but that she was prevented doing so. 

Charles B. Brennan: I am a law clerk in the office of Mr Haggitt. I knew the deceased intimately for about 15 months. He was first in the office of Prendergast, Kenyon, and Maddock with me, and then in Mr Haggitt's office as engrossing clerk. On Thursday evening he left the office at twenty-five minutes after five o'clock, and, as was very unusual, without my accompanying him. I was preparing a deed for him to engross. He said, "I can't wait for you — I have to go." He appointed to meet me at half-past nine, but I was unable to keep it. He was to have given me some money, purely on private business. I always considered him an eccentric kind of man. He always wished to have the best of any argument; and latterly he made a great many mistakes in anything he had to engross, putting in words that were not in his draft. He told me privately that he thought he ought not to have been told to leave Mr Prendergast's office; and I think that preyed on his mind. He would earn about L8 a week, or if he worked at night he could easily make Ll0. I once said to him "You must have saved L100 or more, getting so good a salary." and he replied, "Oh. yes, more than that." He was very close as to his private transactions. He told me that I was his best friend; but when I told him once that I had seen him speaking to a woman in Stafford street be seemed quite angry. He told me he was a native of Kent, but had spent his time mostly in London; that his father and mother were living and that his father was a gentlemen but had got reduced in means. The deceased said he went to Sydney in 1852: and from there to Melbourne. He had been here 18 or 19 months. He was very regular and temperate in his habits. I believe that his name was Robert James Eves, and he had told me that he was 32 years old. He did not play cards, and he would not bet. He knew that his memory was defective and would not rely upon it.

By Jurors: He was very fond of talking about the drama and actors and actresses. He was well informed on most subjects and talked in a way that would not suggest that he was of unsound mind. But he got very angry about trifles that would not have annoyed any really sensible man. I'm sure he was not embarrassed in money matters. He was to have lent me money if I had met him on Thursday evening.

Thomas Jardine: I am a grocer and live in Royal terrace. About a quarter to seven o'clock on Friday morning I just looked out of the door, towards the Bay, and turning my head, I saw the face of the deceased. He was hanging to a fence, and when I went up to him intending to speak, I found that he was cold. He was hanging by a silk handkerchief. I went for assistance, and afterwards went for the police.

By Jurors: I would be an hour and a quarter from the time I saw the deceased until he was cut down by the police sergeant. I could not have saved his life if I cut him down. He was stiff-cold when I fetched the man. The man tried to lift his arm and could not. I was afraid to touch the body.

James Shirer: I am a constable and was on duty in George street yesterday morning, when a man met me and said that a man was hanging the deceased hanging to a fence. His right knee was very nearly touching the ground, but neither of them touched. I put my hand into his bosom and found it quite cold. I tried to move his arm, but the whole body moved, It was not more than 5ft. 3in. or 5ft. 4in. from the point of the fence where the handkerchief by which he was hanging was fastened to the fence. It was a round rail, and there was a piece of sawn timber placed against it, as though it was intended to prevent the handkerchief slipping down. There was not the slightest mark of a struggle in the neighbourhood. I had the body moved to this house. I searched the clothes and so did Sergeant Curran. We found about L120 in gold and notes, a silver watch, a gold ring, and a note which appeared to be from a woman, and is signed "E." The note was as follows:  — 

My dear Robert — Accept this trifling gift as a token of respect. I could not see anything that I liked Better than that. Keep it for my sake. I remain yours truly, "E."

Thomas Curran: I am a police Sergeant. I searched the body of the deceased and found L83 3s 6d in the trousers pocket, together with a small nugget, a pack of obscene cards, some memoranda concerning his business, and two medical prescriptions. Constable Shirer handed to me L40 13s 6d which he had found on the deceased, and a silver watch, and a deposit receipt for L10 from the Bank of New Zealand, dated 13th May, 1863. The cards appeared to be quite new, but the pack was not complete.

By a Juror: I have no reason to suppose that the cards were the "gift" referred to in the note. The one was in the trousers pocket, and the other in a pocket-book.

There was no other witness in attendance; and the inquest was adjourned to noon this day (Monday) to allow time for the police to find the young woman mentioned, and the medical man who wrote the prescriptions.

The adjourned inquest on the body of Robert William Eves, which was found hanging to a fence in Royal Terrace, London street, early on Friday morning, was held on Monday, at the York Hotel, George street, by Dr Hocken, the Coroner.

The following evidence was taken: — 

John Jones Waters: I am a legally qualified medical practitioner. The deceased has been under my care. I prescribed for him five or six times at my own house, the last time being five or six weeks ago. He then told me that he considered himself quite well, and I did not see him afterward. He  was not suffering from insanity nor anything likely to cause it. In fact from the conversation I had with him I considered him a very sensible man, with no tendency to mental disease. 

John Currie: I am a legally qualified medical practitioner. The deceased came to me about three months ago and consulted me upon the state of his health. From the observations he made and his stating that he would never get well, I concluded that he was suffering from melancholia, and I made the remark to another person that I should not be surprised if he did harm to himself. I considered him very likely to become insane. He was much mentally digressed about his health. He left me before he had recovered, and I believe he consulted other medical men. 

Emma Grenieu: I am a dressmaker, and live in Great King-street. I knew the deceased for a few weeks, but only from seeing him at Mr Macintosh's. I last saw him on the day of the laying of the foundation stone of the Exhibition. I did not write the letter signed "E." I never wrote to him at all. I have been out walking with him several times. I have thought that he did not seem happy in his mind, but he never mentioned anything that I thought was a cause of uneasiness. I know nothing whatever of his monetary or private affairs. 

By Jurors: I was to have met him on Saturday, the 20th, but my business prevented my going. I have said that I thought if I had seen him on the night before, that this thing might not have happened; but I can't tell exactly what I meant by it. I was not particularly engaged to him, but the last time I saw him he said he thought I could make him happy. I do not believe that I did anything to cause him mental uneasiness. I only mean by what I have said that he told me he thought I could make him happy, and that if I knew anything was preying on his mind, I could have given him sympathy. We were perfectly friendly when we last parted. I never said anything to the effect that I expected to get from the Coroner some of the deceased's money — I had no reason for ever supposing such a thing.

The Foreman: I move that she writes something to see whether it is like that letter found in the deceased's pocket. I insist upon it. 

A Juror : I second that. 

The Witness: As a gentleman, you might take my word that I never wrote to him. 

The Witness wrote a sentence, remarking that she was so nervous that it was not at all like her ordinary writing; and the Coroner said it proved nothing.

A Witness was called, who said that he sold the deceased a coat about half past nine or ten o'clock on Thursday evening. It was then raining freely. The deceased seemed perfectly rational and collected.

The Coroner briefly summed up, and the jury after consultation, returned a verdict of "Felo de Se."  -Otago Witness, 5/3/1864.

The Daily Times of the 1st reports: — The jury empanelled to inquire into the cause of death of Robert William Eves, attorney's clerk, hanging to a fence in Royal-terrace, have returned a verdict of felo de se. Eve's case is a singular one, because, while there was not a word of evidence suggestive of the absence of right reason, there was an equal lack of anything which could be held to be suggestive as a cause of suicide. When John Brown committed suicide a short time since, in the neighborhood of York-place, Eves commented freely upon the strangeness of a man with plenty of money in his pockets destroying is own life; but he repeated the same worse than folly, for nearly £120 were found in his pockets.  -Wellington Independent, 12/3/1864.

No person by the name of Eves is registered as being buried in a Dunedin cemetery.

Dr John Green, (1817-24/3/1863). "nothing more to pay his way with"

MELANCHOLY SUICIDE IN DUNEDIN.

(From the Daily Times, March 25.)

The City Coroner (Dr Hocken) held an inquest yesterday afternoon, at the Royal George Hote1, George-street, on the body of John Green, who committed suicide by poisoning himself early yesterday morning. The circumstances of the case are of a most painful character, and the occurrence has created a sad sensation in the locality in which it took place. It appeared that the deceased, who was about 45 years of age, was a member of the medical profession, and had resided in Victoria, where he successfully practised his profession, for a considerable period. According to the facts elicited at the inquest, the deceased came to Dunedin a few weeks ago, and stayed at the Royal George Hotel for a short time, until he went to the Dunstan, with the intention of starting in business as a doctor. He did not, however, it appears, succeed while in the country, and returned to town a few days ago in a state of disappointment. He had, during the time he was staying at the Royal George, been very reserved in his manner and abstemious in his habits, and little was known of him or his affairs further than that he had said on one occasion that he had made sufficient money by his profession on the diggings in Victoria to retire, as he thought, for the remainder of his days, but he afterwards met with reverses which had materially changed his position in life. Early yesterday morning groans were heard in the room in which the deceased slept, and it was soon discovered that he had taken a large dose of strychnine. The first witness called was William Towers, who on being sworn said he was the landlord of the Royal George Hotel in Dunedin. He had known the deceased for the last six weeks. He stayed at the hotel for a few days after his arrival in Dunedin, and then left for the diggings, stating that he was going to commence practice in his profession as a surgeon. The deceased returned to town four or five days since, and again lodged at witness's hotel. On Sunday last deceased asked for the loan of a book, and witness gave him several, and he selected a novel, at the same time saying that it was light reading, and would relieve his mind. Deceased did not seem despondent, and appeared quite rational. On Tuesday morning, from what he was told by the servant, he went to deceased's room and found him lying on the bed. He (witness) asked deceased what he had been doing, and he replied to the effect that he had spent all the money he had, that he had nothing more to pay his way with, and that he had better quietly put himself out of the way. He sent for a doctor, and the deceased was subsequently taken in a dray to the Hospital, according to his own wish, but brought back again dead. Witness had discovered since that deceased's box contained medicines. He had never noticed anything eccentric in the deceased's manner.

William Christie deposed that he was an engineer residing in Adelaide, South Australia. He was at present staying at the Royal George, Dunedin. He saw the deceased for the first time on Saturday night, and he then told witness that he was a professional man, and had been to the Dunstan to practice as a doctor, but not liking the place he had returned. At that time witness did not observe anything peculiar in deceased's manner. He slept in the next room to the deceased, and about half-past six on Tuesday morning he heard him get out of bed. He afterwards heard him groan very  heavily, several persons went in to deceased's bedroom, and shortly afterwards he (witness) went in and saw the deceased lying in his bed apparently in great pain. 

By a Juror — Witness had noticed the deceased was particularly quiet at all times, and seldom spoke at the meal table, he did not hear him say anything when he saw him lying on his bed on Tuesday morning. 

Dr. David O'Donoghue, being sworn, said he was a legally qualified medical practitioner. On Tuesday morning about seven o'clock, he was called to see the deceased at the Royal George Hotel. He found him suffering from severe convulsions and tetanic spasms. The deceased was able to speak, and in order to release him from pain, he, (witness), administered chloroform. He foung a paper containing strychnine in the room, but did not ask deceased whether he had taken poison. From the peculiarity of the symptoms, he imagined the deceased had done so. The paper found in the room contained about a quarter of an ounce of strychnine. The packet had evidently been opened. Deceased did not say that he had taken poison in his (witness's) hearing, but he heard from other parties that deceased had said so. He had since chemically examined the contents of the parcel, and found it to be strychnine. He had no doubt that death was caused by poison. In reply to a witness said he had never seen anyone suffering from strychnine before, but was well acquainted with the symptoms of that poison. He administered chloroform to allay pain, as he never had any hopes of the deceased's recovery. He believed the poison had been in his system so long (about an hour and half) that could not be counteracted by any antidote. He could not say in what way deceased took the poison; he might have taken it in a dry state. He considered three grains of strychnine sufficient to cause death. 

Thomas Trumbell deposed that be was a run holder, living at Otarie, Mataura East. He and the deceased were fellow lodgers at the Royal George Hotel, and he had conversed with deceased. On Sunday or Monday, in the course of other matters, the deceased told him that he was a Surgeon, and had came from Victoria, where practiced his profession on the diggings. Deceased said he had made a good deal of money, and retired on an independence, but had afterwards failed in his object. On Tuesday morning, 24thj inst., he heard a heavy breathing and moaning in deceased's room, and, shortly afterwards, one of the lodgers went to the door, and deceased requested him to open it. He then went himself into the deceased's room, and heard him call for hot brandy, which was procured him, but he was unable to take it, his jaws being clenched. Witness endeavored to force his teeth open with handle of a teaspoon; but although he believes a drop or two went in his mouth, he could succeed in opening his mouth. He then noticed in the room, the packet produced. Deceased asked, in the presence of witness, what he been doing with strychnine, and he replied that he had taken ten grains of it. On being asked why he did so, he replied that he was tired of his life. The doctor then came, and administered an emetic, and afterwards a dose of chloroform. The deceased was, according to his own wish, he believed, removed to the hospital. By the Coroner: I should think about half an hour elapsed from time I heard deceased breathing hard and his removal. I was in and out of the room during the whole time. Deceased was clearly able to speak when he asked for brandy, but when the witness brought it up he was unable to open his mouth, his teeth being clenched.

Wm. Caroth, boots at the George Hotel, deposed that he saw the deceased when he was dying. He told witness that he had taken sufficient strychnine to kill two strong men, but his constitution was so strong that it had no effect on him. Witness asked him why he had done so, and he replied that he had spent his last penny, and that he should not be missed in society, and he thought it was time for him to go to his last home. Witness accompanied the deceased to the hospital, and on his way there he begged that the dray might crash and that he might die, as he knew nobody could do him any good in this world. When they arrived at the hospital the dray stopped within the gates of that institution. Immediately on arrival at the hospital, witness presented a certificate which he had received from Dr O'Donoghue the assistant house surgeon, who sent for other assistants, and after some delay the house surgeon came out and pronounced the deceased dead, and refused to admit him into the hospital. He then took deceased back to the hotel, (text missing) previously begged them to keep him at the hospital as he thought the deceased was not dead at the time. The deceased did not show any sign of life on the way back. At least eight minutes elapsed before either of the officials at the hospital saw the deceased. 

John Worrell Hinds, billiard marker, at the Royal George Hotel, corroborated the evidence of the former witness, adding that he had been required to take Dr. O'Donoghue's certificate to the Hospital. On arriving there he gave the certificate to Dr. Yates, who ordered the deceased to be admitted immediately. He afterwards told the wardsmen to take deceased out of the dray but before doing so, he sent for Mr Drysdale, who said when he came, that the deceased was dead and that it was useless to admit a dead man. Some minutes delay took place before he could see Dr. Yates, owing to the fact he could not find anyone to take a message to him. The front door was locked, and he knocked but could not make anybody hear. 

Dr Yates carefully examined the deceased and tried to make him drink before he pronounced him dead. 

This being the whole of the evidence, the jury retired to consider their verdict, and after an absence of about two hours, came to a verdict: "that the deceased died from the effects of strychnine, administered by his own band while in a state of temporary insanity."  -Southland Times, 31/3/1863.

Dr John Green lies in an unmarked grave in Dunedin's Southern Cemetery.

John Morrow Campbell, DSc, FGS, (12/1865-25/4/1930). "medallist in botany"

OBITUARY.

JOHN M. CAMPBELL. 

News has been received by cable of the death, at Rangoon Hospital, on Friday, April 25, from black water fever, of John Morrow Campbell, B.Sc., one of the earliest pupils of the Timaru High School. Born near Woodbury in December 1865, John M. Campbell’s education began there. In 1878 the family removed to Timaru, where deceased attended the Main School, and then the High School, passing Matriculation with the first High School group, who had to sit at Dunedin for the examination. His prizes won at sports and studies included a silver cup. Going “Home” in 1883, he became a student at Glasgow University, later being a medallist in botany, and a Donaldson scholar, gaining the degree of B.Sc. For a time he was an assistant in chemistry at the Glasgow College of Science and Art, then he went with a mining expedition to Persia, and for his map of the territory was made a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. The Gold Coast (West Africa) saw many years service, not only seeking gold, but constructing railways for transport of huge mahogany logs, also suitable dwellings, and store-houses, nursing others who took the dreaded fever, even acting as a lay reader in the last rites of at least one case. Though several times stricken with malaria, and twice with black-water symptoms, a good constitution and change of air pulled him through. America saw him work for a short time, also Australia, but since early in the war years his work has been in Lower Burma, latterly among the Mergui Islands. His thesis on Laterite, written in 1917, brought him the D. degree (Glasgow). Over a year and a-half ago he made good recovery from a serious operation at Rangoon, being afterwards much improved. He leaves a widow and daughter in London, England, son (Toronto), also two sisters in New Zealand, Miss Eliza Campbell, M.A., Auckland, and Mrs E. J. Lawry, Invercargill, to mourn their loss.  -Timaru Herald, 7/5/1930.

Timaru Cemetery.