SUICIDE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1068, 8 October 1883, Page 2

SUICIDE.

[by telegraph.]

Dunedin, To-day.

A most determined case of suicide has occurred at Mataura. Peter Matheson, who lately -had some connection with a lignite pit on the Waimea Estate, came into Gore on Monday night. He had taken so much drink that Constable Pratt had to find quarters for him in the lockup. He spent a restless night, and next morning was brought before the R. M., fined si, and allowed his liberty. He was still suffering from the effects of drink, but he left in the Waimea train for his home, where he arrived in due course. In the evening he went to bed in his hut, and about midnight, his-mates hearing a gurgling sound entered Matheson’s apartment and found the man lying with his throat out. He held the razor tightly in one hand, and with it had inflicted a ter- 1 rible gash neatly from ear to ear. He died in the course of a few momenta. Matheson is believed to have had no friends in the district , His age would be from 43 to 50 years, and it is believed he came from Canterbury. Lately he had been drinking heavily, but his appearance in Court on Tuesday was, as far as the police knew, his first, and the degradation attendant upon it seemed to have preyed on his mind.