INQUEST.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2124, 14 December 1880, Page 3

INQUEST.

An inquest was held at Fapanui yesterday, before Dr. Coward (coroner), and a jury of wham Mr Delahnnt was chosen foreman, touching the death of John Wilson. The jury haying duly -viewed the body, the following evidence was taken: — Margaret Wilson being sworn, said that deceased was her uncle. About a quarter before eight on the previous evening, when she came back from church, deceased was standing at the window reading. He asked her what time it was, and shortly after that he informed her that he was going across the ground. Borne minutes afterwards, Mrs Wilson becoming anxious, sent witness for one of the neighbours. Mr Calvert returned with her, and went to the water closet, where deceased was, but could not open the door, which was fastened on the inside. The deceased had appeared strange in his manner since Friday, when he received a land tax notice, and ho was afraid of not being able to fill it up properly, and incurring the £IOO fine. Henry Wilson, son of the deceased, deposed that his father had been in low spirits for three weeks or thereabouts. About one week ago he said he was afraid he should have to go to Sunnyside. He had been troubled considerably of late about the loss of some property on the Faiapoi Island. Charles A. Calvert deposed that he was called in on Sunday evening, as stated by the first witness. Ho found the closet door securely fastened. He ran back to the house for a tomahawk, and returning with another man, they forced the door open. Deceased was in a sitting posture, with his throat cut, and quite-dead. Witness sent for Constable Flanagan, who in due course arrived, and he picked up the razor produced. This closed the evidence. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the said John Wilson committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity.