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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 980, 30 March 1871, Page 2

A large number of lacTes and gentlemen connected with the Catholic Churches in Wellington, assembled in St. Mary's school room on the evening of the 20th inst, for the purpose of witnessing the presentation of congratulatory addresses to Bishop Viard and Father O'Reilly on their return to the Colony. Mr Walter Johnston presented an address from the laity, and Father Petit Jean one from the Clergy to the Bishop, and Mr P. A. Buckley one from the laity to Father O'Reilly. The addresses were all suitably replied to, and the proceedings closed by the Bishop pronouncing the benediction. We take the following from the Evening Post, 21st March :—-A case of most determined suicide was discovered this morning in a small house in Ghuznee-street. adjoining the Forester's Arms. The house was a four roomed one, the two front rooms being occupied bya man and wife named Ward, and the two bae'e rooms by a man named James (or Thomas) Nash. Constable Brady ; who is collecting the census, called for that purpose at Ward's abouthalf past 11 this forenoon, and -while there a man came to the door enquiring for Nash. Mrs Ward said she had not seen him about this morning, and Constable Brady then went into Nash's part of the house, and found the body of the unfortunate man hanging by a silk handkerchief to a projection of the top door jamb. Brady immediately cut him down, but life had been extinct for some time. The toes of the deceased were within a couple of inches of the ground, and just in front a stool was lying overturned. Nash had evidently stood on this while adjusting the handkerchief, and had then kicked it away. His features were quite composed, and his arms hanging by his side. He was a man of about 35 years of age, and is believed to have served in the English Navy, and afterwards in the Colonial forces. For nearly three years back he has resided in Wellington, and has for a long time been in the employment oi Messrs Greenfield and Stewart at the saw mills. He is said to have been a steady, hard-working man, was unmar ried, and an Englishman. It is impossible to assign any cause for the rash act. His rooms were found in a .scrupulously neat state, the kettle on the tire, the things used for tea last night on the table, and an Extra published yesterday lying folded up beside them. His pass book for groceries was also on the table. A few shillings and two watches were the only articles of value found in the place. He was in the Foresters' Arms yesterday afternoon 3 and had htx.f a pint of b. j er. He spoke rationally, and for some time, to several people, and was last seen alive about 5 o'clock, when he took his ordinary of milk from the milk man. This milk and a loaf of fresh bread were found almo-t untouched. Mrs Ward, who lived in the other part of the house, says she heard a slight noise during the night or early in the morning, but did not attach any importance to it.—An inquest was held on the body, and a verdict returned to the : effect that deceased hung himself, being at the time of unsound rqind