Attempted Suicide by a former Resident of Palmerston.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 9, 9 June 1885, Page 2

Attempted Suicide by a former Resident of Palmerston.

A "Wellington paper narrates the following : — On Wednesday about halt-past 10 o'lock cries for help were heard by Samuel Olsen, the watchman on board the s.s. Hinemoa. Eunning along the breastwork in the direction of the cries, he discovered a man struggling in the water. With the assistance of the night watchman of the Railway Wharf, a coat was lowered for the man to grasp, which means of rescue he declined to avail himself of, and plunged his head under the water, evidently with a view to drown himself. Eventually Qken got down on a stringer, iind caught hold of the drowning man's clothes and brought him safely to land. For his own safety, the would-be suicide,- who gave the name of Nicholas Bviertson, was lodged in the lock-up. He stated that he some time since sustained injuries to one of his 'shoulders while working on the railway : works at Palmerston North, and was , : treated. in the Wanganui hospital. He lias also been more recently an outdoor pationt of the Wellington Hospital, Finding himself destitute, and believing that he would never be able to work owing to his maimed arm, he states that in sheer desperation, he threw himself over the breastwork intending to put an end to his misery. There was not tho slightest signs of liquor about Briertson when he was taken to the lock-up, and there is reason to believe that at the time he attempted to end his life he was temporarily demented. Tho poor fellow was brought before tho R.M. Court this morning, and was remanded for medical treatment.