POISON PHIAL WHEN UNDER ARREST.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1689, 4 March 1913, Page 7

POISON PHIAL WHEN UNDER ARREST.

« TOWN TRAVELLER. DEFALCATIONS TOTAL .£4OO. (By Telejraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, March 3. A sensational suicide took place at the Waiteiuata Hotel last evening, tho victim being a young man named Adain Richey Cuthbertson, who, when arrested by Constable Brown on a charge of embezzlement, .swallowed prussic acid and expired. Cuthbertson had bnen employed for the past five years by 11. B. Morton and Co. as a town and suburban traveller. About ten days ago lie was suspended, as it was alleged that he had been misappropriating the firm's moneys. Since his suspension Cuthbcrtsnn had* been on a motoring tour, and lie arrived in Auckland from Coromnndel en Friday. In tho meantime a warrant had been issued for his arrest, and the police had been endeavouring for a couple of days to locate liis whereabouts. Ou Saturday Cuthbertson booked a room at tho Waitemata Hotel under tho name of Lindsay. He stayed there for the night and remained during yesterday. Shortly after 7 o'clock last evening Constable Brown, of Mercury Bay, who was staying at the hotel, was conversing at the dinnertable when Cuthbertson happened to mention a motor-car accident _ near Coromandel. The constable then inquired liis name, which, ho gave correctly. Knowing that a warrant had been issued for the arre?t of Cuthbertson, tho constable made further inquiries, and later proceeded to the top story and informed Cuthbertson that he was under arrest. The hitler was much l disturbed, and re-ciut-sted to be allowed to write a letter to his wife. •. Suspecting nothing unusual, tho constable acceded to the request, and Cuthbertson sat down to write.'

Immediately afterwards, however, he expressed a desire to wash his hands, and this request was also granted. Wliilo apparently engaged in tho act of drying his face, the unfortunato man reeled, and fell dead into the arms of .the constable. He'had taken a small phial of prussic acid, and the holtle was found in the folds of the towel. Cuthbertson had only been married for three years, and leaves a young widow. Tho alleged defalcations total <£to_o. Tho occurrence formed the subject of an inquiry by the coroner to-day. A verdict of "Death from prnssic acid, self administered," was returned.