ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 889, 8 September 1910, Page 3

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

IN THE PAEMKRSTON SQUARE. While in the company of Constable Gow early on Tuesday morning, a man, supposed to be one Ryan, attempted to commit suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. He made a couple of deep gashes before the officer could disarm him, but no arteries were severed. The circumstances of the tragedy are peculiar. Early in the morning a complaint was made to the police that a man had gone into the Grand Hotel on Monday night and had slept in one of the bedrooms, without permission. He left early the next morning. The porter asked him for the price of his bed, and the intruder said he wanted to see “ the boss,” but while the porter went in search of the manager the man disappeared. Constable Gow went round the Square without seeing anyone of the description given, but just after seven o’clock another message was received by the police from the hotel that the stranger had been seen walking in the Square. The constable immediately went round in the opposite direction, and at the Royal Hotel met two men, one of whom he recognised as the object of his search by reason of the fact that he was wearing elastic boots. On being asked where he had slept on the previous night, the stranger said he didn’t remember. yHe admitted having been at the Grand Hotel on the previous evening, and he was then asked to walk round there with the constable, He complied with apparent willingness. When the pair reached the Commercial corner, the constable noticed that his companion was fumbling with his two hands behind his back. A quick glance revealed the fact that the man was drawing a razor out ot its case. Before Constable Gow could reach over the man had whipped out the razor and drawn it right across his throat. The officer was wheeling a bicycle, and while dropping it to grapple with the man a second gash was inflicted. A short scuffle ensued on the road, and* the would-be suicide was quickly disarmed. A considerable crowd soon collected, and Dr Martin was sent for. He dressed the injured man’s wounds, and ordered his removal to the hospital, where he now lies.