AN AUCKLAND SENSATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 243, 4 March 1913, Page 5

AN AUCKLAND SENSATION.

AKR IiSTED MAX SUICIDES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Monday. A sensational suicide took place at the Wai tenia ta Hotel last evening, the victim being a young man named Adam Ridiey Cuthbertson, who, when arrested by Constable Brown on a charge of embezzlement, swallowed prussic acid and expired. Cuthbertson had been employed for the past live years by IT. B. Morton & Co. as their town and suburban traveller. About ten days ago he was suspended, as it was alleged that he had been misappropriating the firm's money, and since his suspension Cuthbertson had been on a motoring tour, and arrived back in Auckland from Coromandel on Friday. In the meantime a warrant had been issued for his arrest, and the police had been endeavoring for a couple of days to locate his whereabouts. On Saturday Cuthbertson booked a room at the Wii'itemata Hotel, under the name of Lindsay, and stayed there for the night, and remained during yesterday. Shortly before seven o'clock last evening, Constable Brown, of Mercury Bay. who was staying at the hotel, was conversing at the dinner table, when Cuthbertson happened to mention a motorear accident near Coromandel. The constable enquired his name, which he gave correctly. Knowing that a warrant had been issued for the arrest of Ciifclibcrtson, the constable made further enquiries, and later proceeded to the top storey and informed Cuthbertson that he was under arrest. The latter was much disturbed, and requested to be allowed to write a letter to his wife. Suspecting nothing unusual, the constable acceded to his request, and Cuthbertson sat down to write. Immediately afterwards, however, he expressed a desire to wash his hands, and this request was also granted. While apparently engaged in the act of drying his face the unfortunate man reeled and fell dead into (lie arms of the constable. He had taken the contents of a small phial of prussic acid, and the bottle was found in the folds of the towel. Cuthbertson had only been married for three years, and leaves a young widow. His defalcations total £4OO.