ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 685, 11 July 1882, Page 2

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

This afternoon, about two o’clock, as some boys wers strolling through the river, bed. about a mile below the bridge they met a wild-looking man, who, after staring at them, commenced to pelt them with stones. This frightened the boys, who ran off just as Messrs Muir and Brankin came up. The man then ran away as hard as he could, and gleaning from the boys that something was wrong, Messrs Muir and Brankin followed the runaway as fast as they were able. He plunged into the river with the evident intention of making away with himself, but startled by the cries of bis pursuers he came out again. He was dripping with water, and presented a most wretched appearance. On being questioned as to what he was doing he said “ Oh, just walking about—that’s all.” When asked for his name he replied “ George, George,” but afterwards said that it was “ George Wilson.” Ho then entered into a long rambling statement, from which it became evident to his hearers that his mind was affected. Canstablo Smart was therefore sent for, and the unfortunate man was secured and removed to the lock-up. Ho is about forty years of age, and is evidently a working man. Had it not been for the presence of Messrs Muir and Brankin the poor follow would probably have been floating in tho river ere this. Nothing whatever is known of him.