A VICTIM OF THE DREDGING BOOM.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 April 1901, Page 4

A VICTIM OF THE DREDGING BOOM.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Dunedin, April 12. Dr. J, AVard, of Rivcrsdale, who died in Invercargil Hospital yesterday, was a victim to the mining boom. The deceased was charged at Gore last week with attempting to commit suicide by cutting his throat. The circumstances surrounding she case are very sud. Borne time ago deceased invested heavily in dredging shares, and became financially embarrassed. lie loft llivcrsdalo a few months since with the intention of starting a practice at Fielding, but returned about three weeks ago. On Tuesday, 2nd inst., Dr G Copland, of Gore'was ca led into attend Dr Ward, and found him suffering from the effects of poison. Dr Ward admitted that in a moment of desperation he had taken a dose of cyanide of mercury, and ho expressed sorrow for what ho had done. Next day, when Dr Ward and his housekeeper were sitting at dinner he picked ud a knife and attempted to cut his throat with it. Dr Copland, was again summoned, and as Dr Ward’s state was then such that he was thorougly bent on self-destruction, tne police were communicated with, with the result that Dr. Ward was charged with attempted suicide. The wound in his throat was a mere scratch, and on removal to the Invercargill Hospital he was treated for poisoning from the effects of tho cyanide of mercury. However, he never recovered, and he died yesterday. Deceased was over sixty years of age, a widower, with one son, who is stated to bo in Sweden.