A SAD AFFAIR.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 63, 28 January 1913, Page 3

A SAD AFFAIR.

Stable-keeper , Commits Suicide By Cutting his Throat. A great many people in Pukekohe were distressed on Sunday afternoon by the news that shortly after dinner that day a well-kuown livery and stable-keeper, Fred Barns, had committed suicide by cutting hi 9 throat. Burr.9, who was frcm Uniiea States, America, was 46 years of age. He had a mother living there but had no relatives in this Dominion. He had been in New Zealand about IS months, and for some months pns? had been in business as proprietor of the Pukekohe hotel livery and bait stables, In local circles he soon established a reputation for straightforwardness, and became quite popular with all with whom he came into business contact. It in said that on Thursday last the de-ceased-went to Auckland and when there it is suspected thrjt he wan drugged. Upon r:turr.ing to Pukekohe the unfortunate man waj very distressed and appeared to be affected in the head. The 'tragedy occurred at Mr W. Mills' place, Pukekohe, and the manner of it was stated in the evidence. Mr K. F. Webs.er, J.P., was the acting-corener, Constable Willcocfcs represented th ■ police and the following jury was sworn: —P. J. MoGovern.C M. Wright, R. Shotbolt, T, Hurley, U. Lodge, ¥. Perkins. Mr Wright was chnsen foreman. W. G. Abbott, licensee of the Pukekohe Hotel, deposed that during the past six months deceased had had the lease of witness';) stable. During some six or seven weeks past deceased had been very peculiar in his manner, depressed at.d worried. On Thursday morning deceased went to Papatcetoe to wor:: a horse for Mr Martin; and then went on to Newmarket. At 1.24 and at 1.30 p m deceased sent witness two telegrams. The first said: "Want to see you at Newmaiket," The tecona said. "Catch expresj; want to see ;,ou. Reply." Witness went to Mewmarket, but could not rmcl deceased, who, however, arrived back in Pukekohe next (Friday) morning. Deceased looked quite silly then, as if he had been drugged; i.n lower lip was swollen. Deceased went to his room and lny down. Dec asc! could r.ot eat upon his return, but he ;ouk gome broth and beef-tea that were forced upon him. Or, Saturday afterneon deceased was and was talking a lot of nonsense anil witness told one ur the stable boys to keep an eye on him. When Willian Mills came to town witness asked him to kre\) an eye on the deceased for the night. Milln stayed witr. Burns till tlv; Sunday morning. On Sunday moru.i*; a little after 7 o'clnck deceased was working away in the stable a'd spoke quite setiSioly- Abo.it i'ine a.m. dfecea-ed went up with Mills to spend the day at tne latter's place. Deceased hud been a V3ry nun unte witnsts knew him. Io Mr hurley: Deceased had a large .-urn of money, about £7O, wi'h him win i he went to town and had none when he returned; that would Le the motive for drugging deceased.

William Mills, farmer, of PikeJ<ohc, deposed that upon hearin- that deceased was unwell lie went 10 him. Deceased could not sleep and witness walked up and r'own with him all Saturday night. On buna;:y witness drove deceased to witness p lace, intending to ketp him there all day. Deceased took about three

cups of b< i-tti, a id witness induced deceased to lie About thr«. o'clock deceased s.id he felt dizzy in the h ad a<jraio, a. d wcul i go outsi e for a little fresh ai f . About fifteen minutes latti itrr :■••- hoard a wheezing roise nd uno; 1 . looking outside saw deceased lying on the ground, propped up <m his right elbow. Runnu.g t> dec fs. rl he found a razor cl ncheri ir. deceased's left hard, which witness took away aad threT> iiriie 'be house. Witness ran for assistance and John Blake returned with witn ■■ . Deceas.d was then lyii g in a different position, on his back. It was perhaps half-an-hour after the drffl was done, ard a few minutes aiUr witness and Blake returned that deceased died. During Saturday night deceased sometimes talked feasibly and sometimes went ripnt off. Drceased must have gut the from a room occupied by Harry Barker, who was stopping i the house. The evidence of Dr Wake was that upon his arrival at thj scene Burns j was dead. The wou id on the throat | extended from one ear to the other, j This haci severed muscles, some j bloodvessels arH the windpipe. Constable Willcock*, alto gave evidence, which pieced in with the evidence of the previous witnesses; The constable stated that he had spoken to Mr Abbott about deceased, and they arranged that if dr ceased were no hette- on Monday morning t r ey would send him to the Auckland hospital. On Sunday mornirg d?cea;ed i-ppear«l to hj stupid and as if he hat: h en drugged. If there had been a train to Auckland on Sunday trey wuuld have got him down there then. Deceased was very steadj, stragluforward and honest. Latterly, however, he appeared not to have the same eneigy nor to have taken the same interest in his husine=s as he did at first. The verdict was that deceased committed suicid.-; whiisc in a state of temporary insanity.