SUICIDE OF THE POSTMASTER AT THE ARROW RIVER.-THE INQUEST.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 42, 3 April 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

SUICIDE OF THE POSTMASTER AT THE ARROW RIVER.-THE INQUEST.

(From the 'Daily Times,)

The following is a report of the evi-i <dence taken at the inquest on the body •of James Macauley, late Postmaster at "Wakatip. The inquest was held beibre Joseph Wood, Esq., R.M. Henry Vanrennan deposed — I am a •publican at the Arrow in charge of the 3>ost Office Hotel. About eight o'clock this morning I went to the Post Office, ■which is next door to where I live. I called out to Mr Macaulay, and looked through the crack of the door. I saw him lying on bis back with his throat cut across. I immediately sent down to inform the police and went myself to Dr Douglas. Dr Douglas returned with me and opened the door. We went in, and Dr Douglas pronounced that he was •dead. Dr Douglas opened the door, I do not know in what manner the door •was fastened inside. 1 saw a razor lying on the floor covered with blood be tween the chimney, about a yard from where the corpse lay. I should consider that the deceased cut his own throat ■with his left hand. 1 have not seen the •deceased intoxicated, but hewas slightly ■excited about a week ago. I was in •company with Macaulay last night with Detective Barrett. Macaulay seemed to be wandering in his mind. He said fo Detective Barrett, "You need not take me, I will not run away but stand any trial." After the deceased had left, Barrett and I in conversation agreed that the deceased was not quite right, and I went and informed Dr Douglas at Barratt's suggestion. I informed Dr Douglas, whom I believe went down and «aw the deceased. About two o'clock this morning I heard the deceased talkiDg as if to himself. I thought he was dreaming. I did not hear any scuffie or noise in the place during the night. Where I sleep is not above fifteen feet between his bed and mine, and both the buildings are calico.

To the Jury — I think I should have heard if there had been a scuffle though I was half asleep. I did not notice any blood on the door when I went the first thing this mornings I am not aware whether the deceased is left-handed or not. The door can be locked on both sides.

James Douglas being sworn, deposed —I am a legally qualified practitioner at the Arrow. Between eight and nine o'clock last night Mr Vanrennan met •me in the street, and said he thought there was sumethiog wrong with Mr Macaulay. I went to see him, accompanied by Mr Anderson, and remained in his place about ten minutes talking to him. In the course of conversation he said he thought that some parties ihad a "down" upon him. He also said that he had not slept the night before. The deceased did not seem at all the worse for liquor. He accompanied me down to my place, and I gave him a narcotic draught. Accompanied him home again and before I left he again said, "Do you think any parties have an ill-will to me ?". Told him I thought there was no person moie respected in the place. He seemed to be satisfied then. I left. Should think the time would be about half-past nine. Saw him intoxicated about a week ago. At that time he seemed very excited. Have not seen him in that state since, though I am in tbe habit of seeing him almost every day. About eight o'clock this morning Mr Vanrentian came and informed me that Mr Macaulay had cut his throat. Ran to the Post Office, and found the door fastened with a button inside. By means of a little bit of stick I turned the button, and so opened the door, and found him lying on his bed at an angle across, dead, with his feet hanging over the edge, and his head hanging back. There was a gash about eight inches long in his throat, dividing all the muscies, windpipe, gullet, vessels, and nerves which lie in ihe front of the vertebras, completely exposing that part. From the Wood on his shirt he must have been sitting. Should think leaning on his left elbow on the bed, the blood having all run on the left side of the shirt. Am of opinion that the wound was inflicted by a razor or sharp instrument in the right hand. The wound was evidently commenced on the left side, only cutting the skin half through for about half an inch, the gash endirrg by hh.king deep into the muscles of the back part of the right side of the neck. From the way the throat was cut, death must have been instantaneous. From the position in ■which he was it must Lave been very quickly done, the razor having been thrown back.

To the Jury — He seemed always sane when I met him. A pel si.;), could not close the dcor from the en: t.-ide with a stick or o'her instrun c r; t to turn the button. Should think be had been dead four hours when I came in. John William Lynch, being sworn, deposed — Am Serjeant at ihe Arrow. About eight o'clock 1; st right I was in tbe Police Cffice unt, accompanied by Detective Barratt. \YLI-21 Mr Macaulay came in I uas tiiyi^co a> the time in posting the books of tl.t- Station. From the few remarks !:e r:.; co to Mrßj^rratt it appeared he wa3 anxious to speak to me alone. One of his remarks was to this effect, " What is the date of that paper you are reading, Barratt ?'' And on looking at the paper, he said, " Ob, that is too old ; come up will) me, and I will give you one." He then went away in company with Barratt About half £D hour alter he came Lack. Saw him .tome Tound the tent as I was walking in front of the Treasury do.or. He said to me that he was bound to apologise for intiuding on my time so much. Invited him inside. He then made a rambling itatement that gome personhad a 'down' upon him and wanted to influence me against him. Told him very solemnly

that I never heard a word in reference

to himseJf of a disparaging nature, and >„'', that, his imagination was deceiving I o him. He also said that he heard a person ' ?v tell me that he had seen him in a disre-

[ putable house, and that if Mr Wood f heard of it he would be placed in a very , unpleasant position. . I then told him

,t.hat 1 .never heard anything of the kind, and that the Resident Magistrate' was not a person to be influenced by tales of that kind. Did my utmost to remove these impressions from his mind, and after some further remarks on his part he went away. He was shaking with nervous excitement during the time .we were talking together. He was perfectly sober at the time. He appeared satisfied that I had heard nothing derogatory to his character. Before eight o'clock the following morning the constable on duty informed me that Mr Macaulay had cut his throat, and I proceeded at once to the Post Office door, and Dr Douglas was there examining the cut. Directed one of the men to remove those who intruded into the office, at the same tim<rexamining the door and other portions of the building. Am satisfied that there was no outrage committed by a second party. There was a lock in the door which could only be used on the outside, and the door on the inside could be fastened by means of a button, which could be opened from the outside by means of a knife or other thin instrumsnt. A skilful person might fasten the door from the outside. Saw nothing outside or inside that would lead me to think that there was a struggle. All the papers of the office seemed to have been undisturbed. The cash box was under his head apparently uot disturbed, but I have not examined it. The razor produced I found lying on the ground near him, with the hair and blood on it. The razor case was also lying on the ground, near the bed. Believe that Mr Macaulay was very popular in this township. Am also aware that there was no great amount of property to benefit any one to commit an offence. Did riot notice the blood on the door when I first Went this morning, and believe it was not there then. Am of opinion that he committed the act himself.

The jury found that the deceased had committed suicide in a fit of temporary

insanity.