SUICIDE IN THE RECREATION GROUNDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 241, 6 December 1900, Page 2

SUICIDE IN THE RECREATION GROUNDS.

AN INQPIBY ABIDED FOB.

Eaum on Weimesday morning a visitor from Wellington, Mr. Wm. Collins, was on (his way to bathe in the upper lake of the KecreatiOtt Grounds when, in passing the lower lake by the cricket ground, he saw the body of a man in the water, which at this place was only about 4 feet deep. The police were at once, communicated with, and Constables Bussell and Lind proceeded to the spot and removed the body, which appeared to have been in the Water for no long time. On being taken to the morgue; the body was identified as that of John Chorley, who, since 1893, had bseri an inmate of the Old Men's Refuge, and had attained the age of 81. From what transpired* at the inquest, there seems every probability that this aged man had deliberately contemplated putting an end to hit existence, and must have/got up early in the morning to accomplish his purpose, as he was met by a man named t'ycrof t about a quarter past five, on his way, no doubt, to; effect his purpose. He had previously made a disposition of what few articles he'-possessed. distributing them amongst %is fellow inmates of the ■Hxwtt-■'•'■■•"<■■"'

Deceased appears to have been wellknown in the district, where he was I looked upon as an old resident. He was a single man, and latterly on joyed »TMihf age pension. «£*•„ THB INQUEBT. The rn'f-pjßit on sh.e body of John Chorley was held by the Coroner, Mr. R. L. Stanford, S.M., at the liafuge, a't i afternoon. The follomng, were- the jury: Messrs. Mufray; (foremjin), ,W. Bishop, Power, Isaacs, : Bell t and, Moon. S P. pgteT,j: custodian of tne Old Men's Home, said deceased had be-m an inmate' fortnaSy years. Last saw him alive at "9 p.m. oh Tuesday evening. Said to him " Can't yo» rest? Deceased said he could not, and would have to walk about., JKe seemed in his usuil spirits. There had been no complaints from him as to his treatment, nor had he (witness) had any differences with decease]! since he had known him. Wm. McKee, an inmate of the Home, said heflaw deceased the previous night. Heard him say he wasgiing to leave altogether, and that he was giving away his things. Witness remarked : "You will bid us gooi-bye," and deceased replied in the affirmative. On Wednesday morning deceased came into witness' roam and placed half a stick of. tobacco on the table. He said he inaant going, and witness asKed him •vhere. Daceasad repli ;d, " I am out, of one, hell to- auashei - ." Witn i-s knew no reason for deceased complaining, nor did he know of any'disig.-oa uiant betwesn Chorley and the cook or caretaker. Deceased was of a quiet temperament.

Wm. Siaunton, another inmito, siid he slept in the next' room to Goorley, who left a few little things the previous flight for " Bob " (asa,<iin<> his mat*), Witness asked him to keep thi things, out deoeasßd said it was a bui'dsu to carry them about. -He also said ha was tired of life, and the v world was nothing so,hiim.'', Han never heard him express before. Albert J. Collins depasod to findinir the body in the water of the lower lake leirthe Cricket Ground when on hi*vay to ba f ha in the upper lake. There was only four feet of water where the body was found.

Constable Liad comborated tha Us? witness,,and added that them were rv> marks on the edge of the lake. Deceased had no hat 0n.,.: John Mynott said Kaknow deceased well. Lwt, saw himjsou|the previous Sunday at the Home when ho said he was going on as well as copld be expected. Hud frequently had cadyersationa with | deceased whohad made eomplaintsabout i the food and treatment he rec lived —re- ! ferring to the quality of the food, i.e., butter, tea,';and moat. Since the change of custodian he had made Jdo such complaints, but other inmates had. Witness produced loiters from McKee to the Rev. Father Treacy, also letters from himself and Mr. My.tton, as sent to the press. The letters, which ran from June to December, were put in. Wm. McKee was re-called, and his letters were r«ad over to him. He said they y?ere ! correct, and he corroborated \ all the statements m rde therein.

John Burroughs, room mate of deceased, said Ohorley told him two days back that he was going to leave as he was dissatisfied, and had bad bad words with the eobk. .

Jbhh -Stevenson, another inmate, s lid | he was in charge of four invalid'', viz., , McKee, Davjdiuu,. Brown, and Baker, , who required attendance night and day. Witness slept neiir them. The Coroner summed up tho evidence, and indicated that the verdict should be one of suicide while temi porarily insane. He commented on the letters put'ju, pointing out to tho jury , that the principal question for their consideration was whether, a rider should be added to their verdict asking for an inquiry. In considering that point,;they should' ljear in mind that although it sometimes happened that officials had a tendency to got c\llons, yet old men, such as those iu tho Home, were apt to bf come quferellous, The jury, after some deliberation, rereturned the following verdict■:—Tuat deceased committed suicide by drowning himself in the Recreation Ground lake while temporarily insane—a vider being added to the eflbct that an inquiry ought to bo held as to the serious charges made by sevoral of the witnesses with respect to the condcut of the Aged Persons Homo." The verdict and rider will bo forwarded in due course ta the proper Government Department. A GOOD COUGH MEDICINE. It speaks well for Chamberlain's Cough Remedy when druggists use it in their own families in preference j.O any other. " 1 have sold Chamberlain's Cough Kemedy for the 'past live years with complete satisfaction to myself and customers," tavs Druggist J. Goldsmith, Van Ktten, N.Y. "I have always used it in my own family both for the cough following la grippe, and lind it very efficacious." For sale by New Plymouth Co-operative Society.—Advl. A salve that never fails to heal a sore gives instant relief, and draws out all poison is a boon to all. Ask for Nondham's Salve at the Co-operative Society JPfioe Is,—Advt \