ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 279, 28 April 1914, Page 2

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

"PURELY EXCITEMENT." "It was purely and simply excitement," said Georgo Main, an elderly carpenter ef New Plymouth, in answer to a charge of attempted suicide, to which he pleaded guilty in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. "I had been suffering from rheumatics, your Worship," he continued, "and was lying in bed. I had been using the stuff for rubbing my thighs, when they called out to know if my grandson was there. Then the policeman broke in, and smashed a panel in the door. In the excitement of the moment I drank the stuff. I had no intention of killing myself. There was no occasion for it. Anyway, I have had plenty of better opportunities of doing so before if I had wanted to. I atn not addicted to drink, and have been for 14 years without it. It is just my impulsive temper. My wife got hold of the property and all my family abused me. They used to tell me that I had i no right in tlie house, and my boy used to knock me about. When I chastised my daughter on one occasion she threw things at me."

Detective-Sergt. Boddam explained that on April 18, between 8 and !) p.m., accused had a quarrel with his son. This was reported to the police, and Constable O'Neill went to the house. He found the door of accused's bedroom locked, so burst it open. Accused was lying in" bed, apparently unconscious. On a table by the bed were a bottle and a cup, both of which had contained an irritant poison. Medical aid was summoned. Accused wag lodged in gaol, and subsequently transferred to the New Plymouth Hospital. Accused (indignantly): I was not unconscious. I heard every word the constable said.

The detective continued that accused had frequent quarrels with his family. On January 17, 11)11, lie had been similarly charged. He had gone into Pukekura Park and opened a vein in his wrist with a razor. On that occasion he was convicted, and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. Accused: It was only a few scratches that I did. I never used a razor. If you let me out on probation I will pay all the expenses. Mr. Crooke, S.M., pointed out that if people always committed suicide in moments of excitement, the world would be speedily depopulated.

The accused was remanded until 2.14. When he was brought before the Court again, Mr. Crooke said that he had carefully considered the matter, taking into consideration that accused had been previously convicted without effect. He had also borne in mind the fact that accused had been under medical treatment for a week. He imposed a sentence of three weeks' imprisonment without hard labour.