SUICIDE AT WELLINGTON.

Temuka Leader, Issue 284, 21 August 1880, Page 2

SUICIDE AT WELLINGTON.

(Pee Pbbbs Association Special Wins.)

Wellington, Aug. 18,

A shocking suicide occurred in Wellington / this morning. Matthew Henderson, who ar- ■ lived here on Sunday, was immediately a rested on a c.arge of wife-desertion, and on Monday was charged at the Magistrate's. . Court with the offence. The arrest was held. to be illegal, and he was discharged. The some day lie was arrested on two other charges one of larceny as a bailee, and the other of embezzlement. He was remanded until this morning, pending the arrival of the warrants from Chri-tjhmvh. He was admitted to bail, but -id not appear this morning, and his Wors hip ordered a warrant to be issued for his arrest. This was done, and Dei.ec: ive Brown proceeded to the Empire Hotel, where Henderson was lodging. On knocking at the door of his bedroom he received no answer, but heard several distinct moans. These aroused his suspicion, and with the as istauce of the landlord, admittance was gained to the room, rhen Henderson and a young lady named Miss Bligh (who accompanied him from Christchurch) were found with their clorhes on, iving side by side on the bed moaning and writhing with pain, and in the midst of violent convulsions. Medical assistance was obtained, when it was ascertained that they had taken stryc\nine, but from what source they obtained the poison has not trans; ired. The stomach pump was at once applied, but it was apparent useless 5a endeavour to save Henderson, who expired in a few minutes after being discovered. Miss Bligh showed sign? of recovery at 2 p.m., and is reported to be out of danger, although in a very exhausted state. Miss .Bligh is the . daughter of a stonemason living in Christ- . church, and is very respectably connected. She is ji6out 19 year's of %gC ai *d previous to her departure was engaged as schoolmistress in Canterbury. Henderson was an accountant engaged ;in an office, and was a married man will four or five children. There can be little doubt that the unfortunate pair were in the act of eloping to San Francisco, and had not the charges of larceny and emb zzlement been preferre . against Henderson, it is equally certain they would have been able to carry "out their project. Among documents found on the person of the deceased man was f -r a letter containing a statement to the effect that both he and Miss Bligh had premeditated suicide because of trie conduct of his wife;

she because she did not care to live without -i him. The sad affair has caused quite a sen- ; sation in town. An inquest on the deceased

wii be held on Friday,

Aug. 19. Miss Bligh passed a good night, and is progressing favourably. Chribtchxtech, Aug. 19th. Henderson who committed suicide at Wellington,lias on several occasions been in Court here. He was a plausible man, and g.-iting on the blind side of cle gymen and others, was a rising figure in local matters. His last escapade has not, however, suaprisod the majority of people here. It is known that he alweys carried poison. His statement aboi t his w.fe is an atrocious libel. H. 9 had taken the utmost precaution to deceive her, stating that he was going to Dunedin, and contriving to have messages sent from the South alt. ough he was rea ly travelling there. The unfortunate girl hfc decoyed with him was a mistress at the East Chiistcturch School, and was nineteen years of age. .