A WORKMAN'S SUICIDE

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1916, Page 7

A WORKMAN'S SUICIDE

; THE INQUEST. An inquest touching the deiti oi a laborer named Albert Williamson, aged 4'i- years, was held yesterday, before Mr. IT. R. Cattley (Acting-Coroner) and a jury, consisting of Messrs. A. J. Tunbridge (foreman), F. R. X. Wood, G. W. Dillon, and T. H. Shepherd. Minnie Williamson, wife of deceased, said she last saw her husband alive at 10.1.5 a.m. on November 10. He wa? then in bed. He had been in bad health for some.time past, but had made no complaint. Witness said she returned home about 11.45 on the date in question, and, in entering the 'kitchen, she saw deceased lying in a pool of blood on the lloor of his bedroom. She went to a neighbor's house and rang uo for Br. MeGleland, who, on bis arrival, pronounced life extinct. Witness kn.nv of no reason why her husband diould hwo committed suicide. He had been unable to get work. Dr. H. A. Mc'Cleland said lie was called to deceased's residence on the morning of the date in question, and found deceased lying on the floor in a pool of blood. He was lying on his left side, with his face e; the lloor. On examination 'he found his throat cut deeply. The body was wr.vm, deathhaving taken place hail an hour before. In witness's opinion, death was caused by hemorrhage. Tin? wound, he considered, was self-i.iflietsd. There, was a closed razor, eivered with biood, lying on the dressing table. Witness said hp had been treating dco:nse.'i for some time past. He liad been rather depressed, but had been anxious to go back to work as soon as lie became better. Witness had known him for a hard-working and honest man. Constable Norman gave evidence of identification. The Acting-Coroner returned a verdict that .Albert Williamson committed suicide by cutting his throat whilst of unsound mind.