THE LATE SUICIDE AT DUNEDIN.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4086, 26 August 1884, Page 4

THE LATE SUICIDE AT DUNEDIN.

[BY T__EORA-ll.] Dunedin, This day,

An inquest Avas held yesterday on the body of tho young man Wackrill, Avho committed suicide at the Coffee Palace on Saturday. The captain of tho whaler Splendid, Captain Earle, came out with the deceased from Home in tho Cuzco_ some months ago. Wackrill Avas an auctioneer at Homeland on his arrival here went with his friend tho captain as a passenger on a Avhaling cruise. They returned a fortnight ago. Wackrill had about £200 with him on the Splendid, and when he went to stay at the Coffee Palace ho gave tho cashier a fixed deposit receipt for £165, as he said he was drunk, and Avantcd some one to take care of it. This ho did on Saturday Aveek, and on Monday ho got the receipt back, and afterwards drew the money from the bank. As only £10 can now be found it is a mystery Avhere the other money has gone. Tho police, from the enquiries they have made, cannot find that the deceased could possibly have spent it in drink or in debauchery. The evidence Avas that the deceased had been drinking a good deal at the Baldwin Hotel, Avhere he spent most of his time, but the barmaid and waiter said that the deceased Avas always able to take care of himself, and appeared always in good spirits. Mr Elder, one of the proprietors of the Splendid, gave evidence of a somewhat singular nature. He stated that ho had gone to the Baldwin Hotel, on the Saturday that Wackrill's body avus found, with letters for Wackrill from Hume. Tho barmaid said that Wackrill had just gone half an hour before, and this Avas corroborated by one of three persons present, who said that Wackrill had ,_one over to the Coffee Palace. As Mr Elder reached the door, one of the persons called him back, saying "Look here." He looked round, and noticed the three men and tho barmaid " hinting to each other." Ho thought they had not tof d him all that Avas in their minds, and he said, "Oh, never mind." Mr Elder Avent to tho Coffee Palace, and Avcnt to deceased's bedroom door, but, getting no answer, merely left tho letters for him. As Wackrill had shot himself on Friday night no reason could be adduced for the barmaid's reply to Mr Elder, and she had gone before ho gave the evidence. The medical evidence Avas that Wackrill had evidently shot himself, but there was no evidence to show any cause. A verdict of suicide Avhilst in a state of temporary insanity induced by excessive drinking Avas returned. The Coroner said tho police Avould no doubt make further enquiries.