A SAD END.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1919, Page 1

A SAD END.

[per PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] CHRISCHURCH, Jan 25. About 4.50 pan on Friday, says the Lyttelton Times, the body of u man named John Brown, aged forty-six years, who'resided. at 127, Montreal Street, was found hanging from a beam in a motor room in Messrs Davidson and Wauchop’s warehouse, Madras Street. It appears that deceased, i\lio was employed as assistant storeman at Messrs Davidson and Wauchop’s establishment, attended to his duties yesterday as usual and showed 110 signs of mental aberration. At 4.10 p.m., in response to a request front the chict storeman, he went into the next room to take a tally of some goods which had bene stored in the warehouse during the afternoon. As he had not returned at 4.50 one of the employees was sent to look for him, and found him hanging by a window cord from a iienin in a small room used as a motor room in a portion of the building at present otherwise unoccupied. The deceased had the misfortune during the influenza, epidemic to lose his vite, his son, his wife’s father and his two brothers-in-law, 011 c of whom was visiting him from the Vest Coast. He is staled to have nursed these relatives through their illnesses, and did not contract the disease himself. Since theii death he is stated to have shown signs of melancholia. Deceased who was a resident of Dilimans and Lake Mahmapua for years, leaves a grown-up daugh tor and another child seven a eats of age.

THE INQUEST. j CHRISTCHURCH, Jan 33. An inquest was held here to-day on John Brown, storeman who was lound hanging in ware house premises. James Higgins stated that Brown had had n terrible experience during the influenza epidemic having lost a wile and a son. and also several other relatives. Jhess had all been laid up at Brown’s hous> and Brown had assisted in nursing them. lie seemed to brood over the experience and became very gloomy and silent. Witness did not think Brown bad any intention of doing away with himself and he never heard him make mention of such a possibility. Another witness said Brown was a thoroughly conscientious man and a reliable workman. He complained that he had not been able, to sleep well o f late. He was very depressed yesterday. The coroner recorded a verdict that deceased committed suicide by hanging himself during a fit of melancholy, consequent on severe domestic affliction