EARL SHAFTESBURY'S SUICIDE.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 154, 15 May 1886, Page 6

EARL SHAFT ESBURY'S SUICIDE.

London, April 13th. — Earl Shaftesbury killed himself this afternoon. He was in a cab, riding through Regent street, when he took his life. He drew a revolver and discharged the contents of it 3 several chambers into hia person. The corpse was conveyed to the Middlesex Hospital. He was 54 years of age, and was the eighth Earl of Shafteabury, succeeding October Ist, ISSS, to the title, on the death of his father, who was a noted philanthropist. Be left a widow, Lady Harriet, daughter of the I third Marquis of Donegal, and one son and fiva daughters. The Earl had latterly been unwell, and had complained of mental depression. Lord Shaftesbury fired the first shot at hi 3 right temple, but unseed his aim. The cabman descended from his Beat and refused to proceed further, as he feared he would be ehot. Lord Shaftesbury tried to persuade him to continue the drive, and offered him a five-pound note, but the cabman was immovable. A constable who had heard the shot fired approached the cab at this moment, when Lord Shafteebury fired again, the ball taking effect in his tercple. The constable, seeing that he was about to fire, tried to seiza his arm, but failed. Lord Shaftesbury was driven in haste to the hospital. He did not speak after shooting the second time, and died in ten minutes after his arrival.