SUICIDE AT FOXTON.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 13 November 1917, Page 3

SUICIDE AT FOXTON.

On Saturday evening a flaxmill hand, George Williamson, a single man 34 years of age, residing at Avenue Road, Foxton, fired two shots at himself from u revolver, one of the shots entering behind the car. The police were communicated with and Williamson was brought into the Palmcrston Hospital, where he died at 8 a.m. yesterday. It is alleged that deceased lied several times talked of committing suicide. An inquest will be opened to-day. DRUNKEN MAN'S FRENZIED DEED. An inquest was held before the District Coroner (Mr W. G. K. Ivendriek, S.M.) yesterday afternoon touching ("' ■ 11oi1.11 i of Ueorge Williamson, who die., in the Palmcrston Hospital on Sunday at S a.m. fcvjrgt. Henry conducted the proceedings Dr. Putnam stated that at about 2 a.m. on Sunday lie was called to the hospital, where he saw deceased, who liajl a bullet wound in the head behind the left; ear. Deceased died about 8 a.m. the sj-.mc day. Witness made a post mortem examination, and found that deceased's brain had been very much lacerated by the passage of the bullet, which had travelled horizontal ly through the head and lodged just under the scalp on the opposite side. Death was due to shock brought about by gross injury to the brain.

Charles Williamson, brother of deceased, gave formal evidence of identification.

Sofia Wheeler, domestic, residing at Poxton, stated that slie had known deceased for about 9 years and had been living with iiim for the last two years. Deceased returned home ou Saturday at about 10.50 p.m. under the influence of liquor. Directly he came in he went out into the back yard, saying "he would do for himself." As deceased had previously threatened to take his life, witness took no noticc of his remark. She heard a shot and directly after deceased came in. Witness imagined he had fired in the air to frighten her. Deceased went straight into his room and called witness, who kissed him good-niglit. He seemed much quieter and she went to her ovi 11 room. She had just closed the door when she heard another shot and heard a fall. She rushed into deceased's room, and found him lying on liis side on the floor. Witness was not quite sure where the revolver was, but thought it was lying on the floor. Deceased was lefthanded. She knew no reason why deceased should take his own life. He was quite happy during the day, and they had not quarrelled. After wifhess went into deceased's room, he called to her to come to him, saying his head was aching. lie had no wound when lie came in. from the yard. Witness went to a neighbour for assistance, and the police were informed.

Constable O 'Donoghue stated that at about 11 p.m. on Saturday, in company with Constable Wood and Dr. Neville, he visited deceased's house at Foxton. On entering the room he found deceased lying on the floor on his left side. There was a pjcl of blood under his head and a five-chambered revel cor lying near his left arm, about two feet away. Deceased was quite unconscious. Ou examining the revolver, witness found two empty shells and three unused cartridges. Deceased appeared delirious and called Mrs Wheeler by her Christian name, saying he was in great pain. Witness saw deceased about -1 p.m. on Saturday in the hotel drinking, but he was then quite sober. Deceased was a flaxmill hand, and witness knew of no reason why he should commit suicide.

The Coroner found that death was caused by a shot from a revolver fired hv deceased whilst under the influence of liquor.