A CASE OF SUICIDE.

Shannon News, 7 January 1927, Page 3

A CASE OF SUICIDE.

ON ROAD TO MANGAHAO. On Wednesday morning, as Mr W. Jay was proceeding to Mangahao, he discovered the body of a man lying on the road, at the bend just below the old. jig head. The police were informed and Constable Blaikie at once proceeded to the spot. On examination he found that the unfortunate man, whose name is Albert Richard Roy, about 30 years of age, and believed to come from the Old Country, had evidently taken his own life by cutting his throat, there being also severe gashes on each of his wrists. Nearby was a blood-stained razor and his swag. . The deceased had been employed at Mangahao for some ’ time and was in Shannon during Christmas week. He had returned to the camp and it is understood he left the job and was returning to Shannon. Constable' Blaikie had the body removed to Shannon, where an inquest will be held. EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. The inquest concerning the death of the man Albert Richard Ray, was held at Shannon yesterday, before the District. Coroner (Mr A. Fraser). Constable Blaikie represented the police. William Bird, foreman, Public Works Department, Mangahao, stated that on Wednesday morning he ivas coming from Mangahao to Arapeti and when nearing the first hairpin bend from Mangahao, at 7.30 a.m.. he noticed a man named Roy standing on the edge of the road slightly in the scrub. He did not notice a swag on the side of the road. Roy did not speak, but appeared to be in his usual state of health. When returning to Mangahao at 8.30 a.m. Roy was still in the same place. Witness then noticed the swag between deceased and the road, and he thought deceased was waiting for a lift into Shannon. This was the last ho saw of him. On the day previous witness saw him in the camp and he appeared quit 3 normal. He did not express his intention of leaving the camp. Deceased had been employed there as a labourer for some time.

William Richard day, motor proprietor, residing at Mangaore, stated that on Wednesday, January sth, he was proceeding to Mangahao and on turning the hairpin bend nearest to Mangahao, he found deceased lying across the road. On examination he found that his two wrists -and throat were cut. Hie was quite dead.. It was then about 10.30 to 10.45 a.m. Witness immediately returned to the nearest telephone and notified the Shannon police, who instructed him to remove the body to the side of the road. On removing .the body he found a bloodstained razor at his "feet. Also saw deceased’s swag. The body of deceased was warm and probably he had been dead about an hour. There were no marks of a struggle having taken place on the road. Wit ness had known deceased for about -J months, and as far as he knew deceased had been in t.he Mangahao camp during the past three or four days. He was a peculiar sort of man, keeping much to himself and talking very little.

Hugh Blaikie, constable, stationed at Shannon, giving evidence, stated that at 11.15 a.m. on Wednesday, January sth, he received a telephone message to the effect that a man named Roy had committed suicide on the Mangahao road. He immediately proceeded to Hie spot and found the deceased with the injuries detailed by., the previous witness. The swag was open and on'top of the contents he found an empty razor case. Among deceased’s clothing he found seaman’s discharges, a seaman’s union book, and a British mercantile marine seaman’s identity certificate issued to Fireman Albeit Richard Roy. A bii th certificate fc und showed that vl ;- ceased was born in London on February 11th, 1893. Witness had the body removed to Shannon. THE VERDICT.

The coroner returned the following verdict: “That deceased came to his death on the Mangahao road on January sth from wounds self-inflicted on liis throat and wrists.”