SUICIDE OF ASHCROFT. FURTHER PARTICULARS. Dunedin, this day.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 432, 28 December 1889, Page 5

SUICIDE OF ASHCROFT. FURTHER PARTICULARS. Dunedin, this day.

Fukther particulars of the suicide of George Henry Ashcrofb at Dunedin show that on the verger of St. Paul's Cathedral opening the doors early yesterday morning ho found Mr Ashcrofb lying near the chancel with a six- barrelled revolver, one chamber of which wa& discharged, near him. He moaned '• Money, money," but was last sinking and expired shortly after admission to the Hospital. His friends say the strain of business told on him considerably of late, but there is little doubt extensive mining speculations, which turned out unfortunate, was the principal cause of the act. The decease has caused universal regret, as the deceased both in business and private circles was most widely esteemed. At the inquest, Edgar Ashcroft gave evidence that the deceased was his brother. He was a married man, and left a wife and three children. A. Grant, District Traffic Manager, said he had found the following letter in his deck yesterday morning, dated 9th December, 1889: -"Memo, for the District Traffic Manager : — Dear Sir, — I herebj ' tender my resignation as a servant of the Kailway Commissioners. I shall be glad also if you will kindly advise the Commissioners that I claim compensation from 22nd January, 1877, to February of tho presenb year. I have the honour "to be. Sir, your obedient seivant, Gko. H. Ashckoit." The deceased had never spoken' of "resigning. Witness was afraid there was some discrepancy in his books. Geo. Esther deposed that he knew deceased intimately, and went by appointment to see him at the Grand Hotel at 6 o'clock on Thursday evening. Deceased said he was in serious financial trouble, and wanted to ask witness how to get out of it. He owed witness a large sum of money, and asked if he was prepared to wait. Witness replied that he was. He told witness he had been suffering terribly in his head the laet few days, and if the pain continued he should almost go mad. Ho put his hand up to his brow and said, uMy God, Esther, if this continue." I feel certain I bhall go mad." Witness asked him if he was in immediate trouble. Ashcroft said something about speculation in mining shaie3, and witness uttered a few words of comfort. He told witnes? he was careful to make himself safe as he went along. Deceased was looking depressed within the last fortnight, and he heard a rumour that he was mixed with another gentleman in some mining losses. About a week ago witness spoke to him at the station. He told him he had got into some trouble through some partnership in shares. About £400 was the amount mentioned, but he said that in a little time the shares would be worth the money, and they must wait — meaning the parties to whom the money was dve — but he scarcely knew how he stood. It was not his own business ; he had been drawn into it by others in mining matters, but if they got time, he had no doubt they would pull through. Witness could see through the day he was depressed, bub was trying to hold up. The jury returned a verdict, "That the deceased died fiom the effects of a pistol shot, fired by himself," and that there were circumstances which led the jury to conclude that his mind for the time being was off the ' balance.