MR LANSEIGNE'S DEATH.

Evening Star, Issue 3803, 3 May 1875, Page 2

MR LANSEIGNE'S DEATH.

Mr T. M. Hockeu, District Coroner, held an inquest on the body of the late Mr Lanseigne, at the deceased gentleman’s house, some distance above Caversham, to-day. The following evi. dence was given;— Adele Lanseigne : I am the wife of the deceased—Jules Eugene Lanseigne. He was fortvone years of age at the time, and a Roman Latuolic by religious persuasion On Friday moi iung my husbaud came to me at a quarter to ten, and asked me to have dinner ready at twelve oclock sharp, si that he might go to town soon after. He then appeared to be in ordinary health, A quarter of an hour afterwavds I saw him in the coach-house. About 1 went to tell him to dress for dinner, but

could not find liim. In a moment I thought he had gone mad and run away, as some weeks ago he appear edto be halt paralysed, and his head wandered. He frequently complained of his head being too heavy for his body. The greater part of last week he was very bad and would say to me, “ Don’t let them take me away Keep me here.” H* would speak |is though there was some one in the room. We were very much troubled with rats, but my husband never told me that he had bought strychnine to kill them last week. That he should do away with his with was tho last thing that I should have thought. Being unable to tind him on Friday, although assisted by the household in the search I sent for the police and a, search party also ’went to look for him next day. He was found about twelve o clock next day, and was then drewed precisely as when I last sawhim. I had wanted to have a doctor for him, but he refused to havo George K Dermer, chemist and druggist Dunedin, deposed that on Thursday e!Sg deceased purchased some strychnine from him,

saying that he wanted it for the rats which were destroying his apples. He gave him fifteen grains, a receipt for which is signed in poison book now produced. Witness appeared to be very agreeable and pleasant. On Thursday deceased seemed to be more gay and lively than usual. Robert B. V ilson, baker, Caversham, deposed that on Saturday morning last a search party was formed to look for Mr Lauseigno, who, it was reported, was missing. Witness, after searching for a few minutes, found him lying at the outskirts of the bush near his garden. The body was lying quite exposed. He was then quite dead. A cup with half ateaspoonful of transparent liquid, and also an empty bottle, were lying by his side. [The cup and bottle were here produced.] I did not taste the liquid. By his side was also found a piece of paper marked “Strychine—poison.” [Mr Dernier identified the label as that which he gave to deceased on Thursday night.] Constable Carter, who saw deceased immediately after his body was found, also gave evidence as to the finding of the things enumerated by last witness. On searchinur the body he found the three letters now produced in his left-hand coat pocket. One was addressed to Madame Lanseigne, one to his brother] Emile, and one to Mr W. B. Davis. (Che two first were translated by Mr L. Court, who appeared very much affected in reading them.) That addressed to his wife ran thus : “My dear Adele, I am mad. When you receive this letter I believe I shall be out of this world. I bad hoped to have had time to see to everything before my position would be opened to the public, but I cannot bear the idea of being brought before a court of justice. Please God to pardon me, but I kill myself to try to save you from misery. Go back to France with the dear children.” In the letter addressed to Mr Davis, he said: “I leave everything to your hands, and what you may get from my life insurance, or in future, I leave to my children.” W. B. Davis, commercial traveller, had known the deceased for about twelve years. Witness last saw him on Thursday. He was then very excited, in consequence, as he told witness, of being unable to meet certain bills which were due. Although troubled in business for the past twelve months, he was one of the last men who witness would have thought would have committed suicide.

Louis Court gave similar evidence In talkng to deceased at witness’s hotel last Thursdaj' evening, they referred to the proposed Masonic Ball to be given to the Governor, and witness remarked that deceased had had too much drink. Deceased replied that his head was affected, but not by dr ink. The jury, in accordance with the Coroner’s instructions, returned a verdict that deceased died from strychine, taken while in a state of temporary insanity. We understand that the deceased gentleman’s life was insured for LI,OOO. His funeral, which will take place to-morrow, will be attended by the Masons, who will appear in full regalia. The funeral service will be read by the Yen. Archdeacon Edwards, in accordance with Mrs Lanseigne’s wish, and the body will be interred in the Church of England cemetery. It is proposed that the eorUge shall leave the Masonic Hall, and a meeting of Masons will be held at Court’s Hotel to-night, to finally arrange for the burial. The Masonic services will also be performed _at the grave, and four -Masons will act as chief mourners.