THE MELANCHOLY SUICIDE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1277, 30 June 1886, Page 3

THE MELANCHOLY SUICIDE

THE INQUEST.

Wellington, June 29 The following additional particulars ii connection with the death of Mr J. T. Barnieoat have been obtained : Mr Joseph Mackay Principal of th< College, states that deceased had been ont of the masters ot the 1 ollege for five years and had been in the best of health and spirits until b'aturdry last, when he com plained oi being low-spirited, and said the boys under him were not getting on so well as he would wish Mr Mackay told him that no one thought so but himself, and that he (deceased) was working too hard Mr Mackay suggested that Mr Bamicoat should take a holiday, and he felt disposed to agree tr this, but subsequently said it would be better for him to give up teaching altogether, and take outdoor work. Deceased also complained

of sleeplessness, but ou Sunday night he passed a good uight, and < arly yesterday appeared to be in belt r spirits. However, last night he a.;ain became lowspirited, and Dr (Jollies was called in, and, after a short consultiti 11. prescribed for him, and the medicine was administered by Mr W. Percival Evans, another master, who was the last to speak to him. This morning, Mr Barnieoat was seen in bed ana appt ared 10 be s eeplog peacefully, and Mr Mr-okay decided to allow him to remain in bod, and obtain the services of another gentleman to take his class. About S. 15 the masters and pupils were assembed for breakfast, when Mr Campbell visited deceased’s study, and was surprised to find him stretched on the fl jor in a pool of b’o.a Medical aid was sought atd arrived quickly. Mr Mackay is unable to attribute any reason for the act, unless it be that deceased’s mind had become unhinged by over-work. Deceased had of lata been reading very much, but It was not thought ha was studying for any examination. The following note, wri’ten in pencil, was found in Mr Barniooat’s bedroom : *'l am going to commit suicide; short anguish is better than prolonged suffering, for my friends shore are no other al ernatives —J, T. Barnicoat.” The note was not addressed.

Dr. Collins, who saw deceased last night, says he complained of b Tog un ■ able to properly pe-f->nn his dunes, and that for three inon ha ho feit ho had not been doiira justice to ins b ys. He thinks that the deed could not have been premedi ated, but that on a momentary impulse, and in a moment of madness, he committed the deed. The rifla used was deceased's own property, and was usually kept in his study. Deceased was twenty-eight years of age, and the youngest sou of the Hon. Mr J. W. Barnicoat, of Nelson, who is noss£in Wellington, attending Parliament. *He was unmarried. He was a of Nelson. Deceased was _ a prominent athlete. He was a member of the Wellington and the College Football Clubs, the t tar Boating Club, and Secretary of the Wellington Cricketers' Association Mr Barnicost took a great interest in the welfare of the papila attending the College, with whom he was very popular. Deceased was highly esteemed in town, and his sad death cast a gloom over it At the inquest this afternoon no fresh facts were elicited, snti the j try re urned a verdict that “ Deceased commit-ed suicide while suffering from temporary insanity, induced by ovrrwirk."