SUICIDE OF A PHYSICIAN AT CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5662, 23 May 1879, Page 7

SUICIDE OF A PHYSICIAN AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Christchdkch, May 10,

Between twelve and one o’clock this afternoon considerable excitement was caused in town consequent on a report that Dr. Moritz Mark had committed suieide by taking poison. A member of the police force was at once sent to the doctor’s house to make inquiries, and found the report to be too true, the doctor having breathed his last, and having by his confession died by his own hand. It appears that the doctor arose this morning at the usual hour, and was particularly cheerful. About eleven o’clock he informed Mrs. Mark that he would go to the consulting room tor the purpose of making out some bills. His wife suggested that the parlor would be better and warmer; but he declined to take her advice, and went to the room in question. Being absent much longer than was expected, and as several patients were waiting, Mrs. Mark went to the door and called him by name, but received no reply. On. trying the door, she found it locked, and then ran to the window, fearing something was wrong. On looking in she saw her husband lying at full length on the floor. She at once gavethealarm, the wiudowswere broken in, and a: party entered the room, when Dr. Mark was found to be breathing heavily, and evidently in a dying state. Near his hand was a paper, showing that he had taken a strong dose of morphia chloral. Subsequently a letter was found addressed to his wife, in which he confessed the commission of the deed, and attributed it, it is said, to pecuniary embarrassment.

Almost immediately after the room had been entered messengers were despatched for medical assistance, and for the father-in-law of deceased, Mr. Marrey, of Hereford-street. Dr. Prins was soon in attendance, but was too late ; on his arrival he found life extinct. The unfortunate man leaves a wife and one child. Quite recently Dr. Mark resigned his position on the hospital staff in consequence of a dispute with one of the officers of the institution.