DRINK AND SUICIDE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3726, 1 December 1906, Page 2

DRINK AND SUICIDE.

A Sad Case.

Wellington, Yesterday.

An inquest touching the death of Joseph Smith, aged sixty-seven whose body was found in the harbour last Thursday, was held today.

Deceased’s son, Chas. Henry Smith, was the principal witness. He produced a letter which he had found at the foot ot his father’s bed. It was addressed to wituess, and signed “Your desponding father.” The letter was as follows : —“ I see nothing in front of me but ending my life. The world is hard, and lam sick of it. My life has been hard for some time, and I don’t see any end of it. Do the best you can for yourself. I have applied to the Government and to the City Council, but Mr Chappell will not find anything, and as I am at the end of my tether there is nothing left for it. I am sorry for you; but do the best you can. I suppose suicides do not go to heaven, so may not meet your mother.” On the same sheet of paper was a letter to a friend, asking him to “take care of Charlie.” The letter concluded —“Hoping (which is against hope) to meet again, I remain, yours truly, Jos. Smith.” The evidence of this witness (Chas. Smith) and several friends of deceased was to the effect that the old man had been downhearted since his wife died. He had been drinking heavily, and his son had taken out a prohibition order against him, but the order was disobeyed.

The jury returned a verdict o: suicide.