CHINAMAN'S SUICIDE.

Clutha Leader, Volume XL, Issue 42, 25 November 1913, Page 5

CHINAMAN'S SUICIDE.

David Wing, a half-caste Chinese, aged 20, and son of Ham Wing, fruiterer and gardener, Balelutha, committed suicide at Balelutha yesterday morning at 10.15 by throwing himself off the traffic bridge into the river. While carrying a Winchester rifle he met a couple of residents on the bridge, and said something to them about the rifle, but they did not catch his remarks, Nothing more was noticed till Messrs T. Weir and W. Hunter, working on the beach, saw Wing struggling in the river in front of them, about two chains below the bridge. There was no boat available, and they were powerless to help, being compelled to stand idly by "till the body disappeared under the surface of the water. Up on the bridge the ritle, with a discharged cartridge shell in it, was found, but so far as we can learn nobody heard a shot being fired, and until the body is found it will be unknown if the young fellow shot himself before jumping into the river. It is clear that the suicide had been premeditated, as Wing purchased both a revolver and rifles early yesterday iiite, with caps and fuse. The rifle which he first purchased was taken from him by a friend, and ho returned to tlie shop and purchased another, saying he had sold the former one. The revolver has not been recovered, but the gelignite and other stuff were found in the fruit shop.

The young man was known as being of a steady and industrious disposition, but about a week ago he became somewhat peculiar in his manner, not being as sociable as was his custom, and he declined to continue work. Fearing that there was something wrong his people called in f)r Stenhonse, who at nine o'clock yesterday morning examined David, and then considered there was no grave cause for alarm.

l T p to the time of going to press the body had not been recovered. Yesterday Constable Harvey searched the rivet-banks to Stirling and Finegaad. but his work was hampered through there being no boat available. A search amongst deceased's effects revealed no clue to anything which may have caused him to take his rash step.

Although alienated to some extent from other young fellows by reason of his nationality, the deceased, by his intelligence, generosity and honesty, had won tor himself a good measure of respect. He was of a sociable disposition, and perhaps the fact that he could not mingle with others like most young men caused his latter-day despondency and brought about his tragic end. Within the past day or two ho passed remarks to the effect that the police "wanted'' him, but this was an entirely erroneous idea, born no doubt of a despondent state of the mind.