Husband and Wife Attempt Suicide

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 314, 27 March 1928, Page 1

Husband and Wife Attempt Suicide

SEQUEL TO QUARREL WIFE TOLD TO SHOW PLUCK Having swallowed a dose of irritant poison after a domestic quarrel, a young Maori, living near Auckland, challenged his wife to "show her pluck” and do the same. She accepted the challenge. The sequel to the incident was the appearance of the couple at the Police Court to-day, on a charge of attempting to cqmmit suicide. A bright, well-educated pair, they had their child with them when charged. In quiet voices they admitted guilt. Chief-Detective Hammond’said that on March 5 the man was in liquor. There was a quarrel, and the husband bought a bottle of liniment. It was an irritant poison, and after he had drunk some he told his wife that she would do the same if she had any pluck. There was barely enough poison to cause death, but the wife almost Immediately took an emetic. “It is the man’s drinking, laziness, and failure to provide means of living that causes trouble,” said Mr. Hammond. Both were convicted and discharged and their names were suppressed.