A SAD SUICIDE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1701, 17 March 1906, Page 2

A SAD SUICIDE.

BROUGHT ABOUT THROUGHOVERWORK. ’(Per Press Association.) ■' Dunedin, last night. •• At the inquest held on the body of Joseph Ernest Sargeant, found dead in a shop of his employers, Thomson, Bridger and Co., the evidenoe of Dr Fulton, who saw deceased several months ago, was to the effect that the man was in a state of nervous prostration and worried over trifles, and was cn a state bordering on iosanity. He told him he should ask for three months’ leave, and go for a complete rest and ohaDgo. As the man had not dono so, he was not in the least surprised at what happened. Deceased’s wife and her father deposed that Sargeant was overworked. He worked from 9 a.m. till about midnight, and sometimes on Sunday. He told his wife he bad made mistakes, and he would ead in gaol or the lunatio asylum, J, C. Thomson, managing director of Thomson, Bridger and Co., said that with the exception of two or three dayß at the beginning of the month the staff were [ never back after hours, whioh were from 9to 5 30. Ho was not aware that de*' ceased went back. Witness went back occasionally, but very seldom ever saw deceased there. He was a most accurate worker, and his work was always up todate. There was nothing in his appearslice to suggest anything wroDg with him. In saying he had made mistakes he was suffering from hallucination. Had he asked for a holiday he would have got it at onoe. If witness had any idea that deceased went back on Saturdays and Sundys he wou’d have stopped it at onoec The jury returned a verdict that dei ceased committed Buioide while in a state • I of temporary insanity. r—•