WITHIN THE DOMINION

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 214, 26 May 1915, Page 7

WITHIN THE DOMINION

SUICIDE OF WELL-KNOWN MAN. PUBLIC MEETING IN PALMERSTON NORTH. CHRISTCHURCH, May 24. The body of N. J. Keane was found banging to a ladder in a back room of Nicboll’s auction rooms this morning. The deceased was about 44 years of age, a married man with three children. Until January last he was a partner in the firm of P. S. Nicholls and Co., furniture auctioneers, for about three years. Upon the dissolution of partnership he was retained as auctioneer until about a month ago, when he ceased his connection. He had formerly had business as a tobacconist in Invercargill,where he was very well known, and was a Southland representative wicket keeper. He was in the last Christchurch senior team here. Keane suffered from mental depression as the result of financial and business difficulties. In his pocket was found a telegram threatening to have him arrested if money was not paid forthwith. An inquest was held to-night, when a verdict of suicide while of unsound mind was returned.

ANTI-GERMANISM. PALMERSTON N., May 24. A meeting was held here to-night to consider the best means of dealing with unnaturalised aliens. The Opera House was crowded. Speeches were delivered by several citizens, including th Member-for the district. The speakers urged the crowd not to take part in riots. The following resolution of inhabitants of Palmerston North and the surrounding districts, was then proposed ; “That in view of the outrages perpetrated by the German and Austrian nations in present conflict, we call upon the Government of New Zealand to take immediate steps effectually to deal with all subjects of the nations the British Empire is at war with residing in this country; that this public meeting urge all th e subjects of those nations who do not to the satisfaction of the Government solemnly aflirm their loyalty to our King and solemnly forswear allegiance to or sympathy with the nations at war with the British Em-

pire.” This motion was evidently not “hot” enough, and it was decided to embody In the resolution an amendment that every unnaturalised alien be asked, to make the following declaration: “I (or we) do herewith solemnly and sincerely declare without equivocation,or mental reservation, that I specially renounce my German citizenship, that I abhor utterly and detest Germay’s methods in carrying on the war, which I declare to be those of assassination, piracy and murder, that I declare myself to be most loyal to the British Crown and the British Empire; that I will flelp in every possible way against Germany according to my circumstances and ability, and if necessary with my life.”