THE SUICIDE AT WAITARA.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2502, 14 April 1882, Page 3

THE SUICIDE AT WAITARA.

LPEKSS ASSOCIATION TBLTtGBAM.J NEW PLYMOUTH, April 14,

At the inquest on the body of Mr Halse at Waitara yesterday it was addqoed that the deceased’s partner had only recently become aware of Mr Halae's position, and on speaking to him he appeared to be much distressed and agreed to call a meeting of his creditors. It was customary for deceased to go on Wednesdays to Waitara, where he did business, so that nothing was thought of his going down there on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning he was seen by several, who said he looked distracted, and during the latter part of the day he kept to his house. His partner, having some business with deceased, went down by the train yesterday morning to Waitara, and found the door of the house opened. He went into deceased’s bedroom, and there found him lying on the bed dead, with his face downwards. Both arms were underneath the chest, with the hands clenched. Deceased had his boots and coat off, and a tumbler containing a few crystals of strychnine was on a chest of drawers. A letter was there addressed to his son-in-law, in which deceased had written—“ I have thought the matter out, or at least endeavored to do so, and matters will be facilitated by my stepping aside. My head is bursting. Farewell,” On searching the deceased, a half ounce phial containing strychnine, properly labelled " poison,” was found. It had been made up and had been ia]Jdeoeaeed’s possession for fifteen years. The jury, after a shorf consultation, returned a verdict —“ That the deceased died from the effects of strychnine administered by himself during a fit of temporary insanity.”