SUICIDE.

Evening Star, Issue 3988, 6 December 1875, Page 2

SUICIDE.

-An inquest was held at the Hospital at noon to-day, before Mr Hocken, District Coroner, on the body of Alex. Scott, who committed suicide on the previous day. The wound was a very deep one, the head being almost completely severed from the body. Tho following evidence was given John R, Cowie, ledger-keeper at the Bank of iNew Zealand, said that he had known deceased for fourteen years, and had seen him constantly dining the last four months. He was twenty-six at the time of his death, a native of Scotland, unmarried, a clerk by occupation, and a Piysbj'terian by religious persuasion. Witness last saw him alive between a , n en °' c^ yesterday morning. They lodged in the same house. He knocked at witness s door, but he refused to open it, saying he wanted sleep. Deceased afterwards tried to burst the door open, and then to get in by the window, witness now believed to get his razors. Witness jumped out of bed and drove mm away. He went to his bedroom. His lace had a savage and peculiar expression, though witness did not at the time think there was anything singular iu that. Witness afterwards went out and returned at about twenty mmnes to four, when he was met by Mrs laget, the landlady, who asked him to go and see Mr Scott, Witness looked into his bedroom and saw deceased lying on the bed, aed there was blood on the floor. He raised himself and looked at witness, who ran for a doctor. Witness did not then notice the cash in his throat. When witness returned Scott was quite dead. Deceased never spoke of committing suicide. He had been out of employment for tour or five months, but had told witness that he had got a situation in the Harbor Gflice, Latterly he had been drinking heavily, returning home nightly quite drunk. The penknife produced is the one wi hj which he committed suicide. It belonged to himself. Mary Paget deposed that deceased had lived at her house during the last four months Ho was much addicted to drink, hut occasionally would be sober for days together. For a week before his death she saw but little ot him. She never saw that his mind was affected until the morning (yesterday) of his death, when he got up at five o’clock, which was very unusual for him. vV hile deceased was trying to burst last witness’s door open he appeared as though insane, bis eyes glistened, and he appeared very excited. When Mr_ Cowie put him out he got a thick stick, saying he would horsewhip him. Deceased then went to bed and at eleven o’c'ock was sleeping soundly. During the morning he icpeatedly asked for drink, which witness refused to give him. borne time after she heard him moaning heavily, and on looking into his bedroom saw blood on the floor and bedding. His head was covered in the blankets, and she ran out, and meeting last witness, sent him for a doctor. Deceased appeared to be poss.ssed of considervble means

Dr \] artin deposed that he was called yesterday afternoon to see the deceased. On arrival at the house he found him lying dead on his bed with his throat cut. The gash was about four inches long and of considerable depth. Both carotid arteries were wounded, and death must have been almost instantaneous—the wound being very extensive. The knife produced was lying open on the wash-hand stand, about four feet from the bed. The wash-hand basin contained a great deal of blood, as if he had cut his throat while standing over it. Between there and the bed there was a pool of blood. The jury found that deceased commi'ted suicide while in a state of temporary insanity, bioutht on by excessive drinking. ■he Coroner explained that by this verdict life insurance companies would be protected against any claims.