A Singular Occu rence.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 56, 31 August 1894, Page 2

A Singular Occu rence.

ALLEGED ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE. Shortly after 9 o'clock this morning, as Mr Ingrain, of Ashurst, was riding into Feilding, he noticed, on the Oroua bridge at Aorancji, what appeared to be a small package tied in a pocket handkerchief. On examining the package, he found inside it a watch and chain, tfiree sealed letters and one that had been opened, which led him to believe that a young man — well known in this district (A. G. Hickford)— had committed suicide. Mr Ingrain at once brought the parcel into Feilding and gave it to Constable Tuohey. One letter is addressed to Mrs H. Hickford, Bangiwalua (A. Hickford's mother) ; one to Miss M. Lundon, Makino (with the words on the envelope, "For the coroner's information ") ; another to Mr Florry (or Story), Patea or New Plymouth ; also, an open letter addressed to Miss Lundon, Makino; and written on an en- ! velop<* was, " I'm drowned just above the bridge.— A. Hickford." The open letter to Miss London read as follows : — " August 31. "Dearest Mary, — " I feel sorry, dear, I pnt yon and your family to so much trouble last night. I did not think of doing so my darling. I did want to have a little talk with you, but you seemed so afraid. Ob, Mary, Mary, dear, I could never hurt you. I caught a glimpse of your dear face in the doorway as I passed. I wish you had come out to me. I would have felt so much easier, dear Mary. I wanted to have a last talk to you, my love ; but your family would not let me, and now I pass into eternity without saying good-bye personally. lam tired, weary, and hungry, and now I intend to drown myself in the Oroua river,- just above the bridge. I freely forgive your mother and family all the worry they have done me. A last and final good* bye, my own true darling Mary. "Art-hub Hiokfobd." He had advertised in a Wellington paper for a partner, and on Tuesday last be went to Woodville to interview a person who had replied to the advertise* ment, but they did not come to terms. He returned to Feilding last night and in conversation with one of our staff he said he wa3 to return to New Plymouth shortly, but he appeared to be uncertain. This morning the news of his sup* posed death by drowning caused con* sidcrable excitement in town, and with all possible despatch Constable Tuohey proceeded to the Oroua rivet, above the Kailway bridge, to search for the However, he wan disappointed as the young man was, fortunately, not drowned, but was all this. time lying covered with straw beside a stack in Mr C. Bull's property, about a mile below the railway bridge. His. whereabouts were discovered in a some* what singular manner. Mr P. Desmond, manager for Mr S. B. Turner, noticed a man running along the fiver bed opposite his house, and, on going to see who it was, the person bid in the toi toi which was growing about. Mr Desmond then went back to his house to enquire if anyone had been there, and, on satisfying himself to the contrary, went across the paddocks again, and this time he saw a man, who proved to bo Hickford, running towards a straw stack on Mr Bull's property. Mr Desmond followed, but could see nothing of Hick* ford. Mr J. Campion came along, and, after searching about for an hour, they found Hickford buried in the straw. Word was sent to Constable Tuohey, who was dragging the river, and Hickford was taken into custody. He had evidently been in the water as his clothes were wet through.