THE CASE OF SUICIDE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2825, 14 April 1882, Page 2

THE CASE OF SUICIDE.

[By Teleorapu.] Plymouth, April 10. At the inquest on the body of Halse at Waitara yesterday, it was adduced that the deceased’s partner had only recently become aware of Mr Halse’s position, and on speaking to him he appeared to bo much distressed, and agreed to call a meeting of his creditors. It was customary for deceased to go on Wednesday to Waitara, where ho did business, so nothing was thought of his going there on Tuesday. Wednesday morning ho was seen by several, who said he looked distracted, and during the latter part of the day kept to his house. His partner having some business with deceased, went down by the train yesterday morning to Waitara, and finding the door of the house open

he went into deceased’s bedroom and there found him lying on the bed, face downwards, dead. Both arms were underneath the cheat with the hands clenched. Deceased had his boots and coat off, and a tumbler containing a few chrystals of strychnine was on a chest of drawers. A letter was there addressed to his son-in-law, in which deceased had written, “ I have thought the matter out or at least endeavored to, and matters will be facilatated by my stepping aside ; my head is bursting; I my farewell send.” On searching the deceased, a half ounce phial containing strychnine, property labelled poison, was found. It had been made up and been in deceased’s possession for fifteen years. The jury after a short consultation, returned a verdict that “ Deceased died from the effects of strychnine, administered by himself during a lit of temporary insanity.”