A TRAGIC ACT.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1916, Page 4

A TRAGIC ACT.

OTCIDE AT VOGELTOTO A most determined and distressing suicide occurred at Vogeltown about 9.41 on Saturday morning, when Mr. W. Earp, a retired farmer, put an end to his lifa by cutting his' throat. Deceased, who was Si) years of age, had been suffering front illness for some years, and in March last was committed to the Porfrua Men<al Ho-pital, but after being in that insti* tution for seven weeks he was discharged. He enjoyed comparatively good health until about the middle of last week, when his illness again aianifested ; tself. On Saturday morning deceased was in bed and Mrs Earp left the room for it few minutes to get him a drink. Whilst doing this, she heard a heavy fall, and, rushing back to the room, found her husband inaensible and in his death throes. Notification was immediately sent* to the police and they, with Dr. lilaekley, were quickly on the scene, but the doctor could only pronounce life extinct. The instrument with which deceased committed the rash act was a pair of pruning shears, and death must nave been almost instantaneous.

A formal inquest for the purpose of identification was held at the residence by Mr. A. Crooke, coroner, and the body was then conveyed to the morgue. A further inquest will be held this tporn' ing.