Attempted Suicide at Te Aroha.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 331, 5 January 1889, Page 2

Attempted Suicide at Te Aroha.

We regret to have to chronicle that a determined attempt at suicide was made on Thursday evening last, by a well : ; known local resident named Launoelot 1 Newton, better known as "Harry " j Newton, proprietor of n coffee and fruit shop, etc., opposite the Domain. It appears that Newton proceeded towards the station about half-past five, and, as some who passed and spoke to him state, then appeared quite rational. Nothing Further was known of his movements til); about quarter to six same evening, iyhen Ludwig Petery (shopman for Mr John Woods, butcher), was proceeding tp Te Aroha West, and when crossing Wai hou river by means of the railway and traffic bridge, was surprise;! to so a man's coat and helmet luid on the side of the bridge, and on going a little further observed Newton out on one of the stringers, about the middle of the bridge ; and saw him drop from thence into the river. Petery immediately called out to Mr W. Everitt, pabinet-maker and boat builder, who lives close by the bridge, to send a boat (of which Mr Everitt has a large selection moored opposite his workshop for the use of visitois and others ) 3 to the rescue, and his son, Alfred Evcrilt, assisted by Christopher McGtatli, with great promptitude jumped into one of the boats and reached Newton within about two minutes from the time when he dropped into the river. His rescuers found him with his head over the water, but the rest of his body submerged, his lags being imbedded in the mud and sand at the bottom of the river ; which at this particular spot is only about five feet deep. Having brought him ashore his vescuers handed Newton over to the police, who by this tune had arrived, and who took him to the 'lock-up', got him a change of clothes, nourishment, etc., and otherwise took cure of him. When asked by the rolise what induced him to jump into the river he is stated to have replied " I must have been mad to have done such a thing." The prisoner was brought before Mr J. Jlott, J.P., yesterday forenoon, charged with attempting to commit suicide. The police stated that uwinir to the short time which had elapsed since the occurrence took place they wished ;i remand in order to have an opportunity of making further enquiries, find procuring evidence, etc. Prisoner was remanded by the Bench till 10 am. on Tuesday next. Newton is a ain»lo man, find lias no relations in the colony. He is about lift}'- five years of a<>o, and of a most obliging and inoffensive disposition ; anil for some lime past has been doing a nice little trade at his siiop x but has, it is stated, given way a grout <Jeal to drink dining the holidnys, and there can be little doubt it was drink incited him to attempt tiie rash jvfc. Newtuu has held some lesponsiblo position*, having been landing waiter in lI. M. Customs at the Cape for some twelve years, and has in his possession a number of veiy excellent testimonials. His friends are greatly astonished at his foolish action.