SUICIDE AT AUCKLAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1342, 15 September 1886, Page 2

SUICIDE AT AUCKLAND.

Auckland, September 14. Henry Hall, better known as Harry Hall, aged forty-five, who has been employed for years as ticket taker at the Opera House and Theatre Royal, attempted suicide to-night at his lodgings, by firing a pistol into his month. He was found lying on the floor, bleeding profusely. Be used an old theatrical property piste', with a large charge of powder, but no ba'l. The discharge smashed his face and shattered his jaws. He still lies In great agony, bat the doctors state his injuries are mortal. Hall Is conscious, and made his will, and made a statement as to the cause for the _ act, but this document is reserved awaiting events. It has transpired he was In the habit of book-making on the races, and had recently lost some wagers. His mind seemed to be affected, and he complained within the last few days “ that they act a trap for him," and “ they were all in it.” There is no doubt this betting delusion was the immediate cause of the act, but in his written statement he made this accusation, mentioning two names, which hive not transpired. Three man were with him a short thus previously to the act, one of them to p»y him a small bet. Later. Ball bas died of bis injuries Before dying he wrote his will on a theatrical poster. The salary due to him at the Opera House is to be given to his mate and fallow-loJger, Edward Bresd; hla watch and ca «iu to bis uncle, Mr Hall, saddler, of Gisborne; and money and land to his brother, whom he last heard of at Whangarei.

THE INQUEST. AtrcuiSD, September 15. At the inquest on Ba 1 !, who shot him* self last night, a verdict of suicide while insane, through despondency, was returned.