SUICIDE AT MILFORD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2419, 1 November 1892, Page 2

SUICIDE AT MILFORD.

On Monday morning news was received in Temuka that a youth named James Tegg, employed at Mr Hedges’ osier works, had committed suicide. It appears that the deceased was last seen alive in Temuka between six and seven o’clock on Sunday evening. He did not appear as usual on Monday morning, and search was made for him about Mr Hedges’ premises (where he was boarded), and he was discovered hanging in the shed and quite lifeless. The body was removed to the Crown Hotel. The deceased was between 17 and 18 years of age, and was a resident of Timaru. No reason is assigned for the act, but it is believed that he was of an eccentric and despondent disposition. His farter and mother are in Melbourne, and he has one brother and, we believe, two sisters living in Timaru. The brother is now in the Timaru Hospital. Two of his sisters are said to have died in lunatic asylums.

INQUEST. The inquest was held at the Crown Hotel, yesterday afternoon, before 0. A. Wray Esq., Coroner, and the following jury, Messrs Henry (foreman), H. Lee, E. Brewer, C. Story, O. Cruiokshank and W. McLeod. The first witn ss called was

Frederick John Hedges, son of Mr George Hedges, of Timaru, and employed in the willow trade at Milford. Knew deceased, James Tegg, who was employed on the premises. Ho had been working there for about a fortnight. Did not notice anything about, the boy particularly, except that he seemed a little soft and very slow at his work. Last 'saw him at about six o’clock on Sunday night. The works were stopped the previous week, so had not seen much of him. Saw him in Temuka on Saturday evening. He was in his usual state of health then. Came in together on Sunday evening and left him at the corner of the Crown hotel. He seemed very silent all the time and did not mention where he was going. Did not from his manner think there was any harm in him. During the week he did nothing that led witness to think deceased was out of his mind. He appeared at tea time on Sunday to be fretting about his brother, who he heard was bad. He seemed to think his brother was in clangor, as he heard on Saturday his brother was out of his mind. Walter Phillips, son of George Phillips, also employed at Sir Hedges’ works, knew deceased. Was sent by last witness into the shed at a little before eight o’clock for a cask. As he was leaving noticed a hat on the ground, which he knew to belong to deceased. Looked round, and saw a ladder leaning against a rafter, and the body of deceased hanging by a rope. Went at once and told Mr F, Hedges, who came back to where the body was hanging, Was then sent for Mr G, Hedges, who lives about a mile away. Thi police wore then sent for in meantime. Did not interfere with the body. Could see that Tegg was dead before he (witness) left the premises. Mounted Constable Egan, in temporary charge of Temuka station, stated that on receipt of information at eight o’clock on Monday morning he went out to the Milford willow works, and found the body of deceased hanging from one of the rafters, a height of about fifteen feet, with a ladder leaning against the partition, and touching the body. The feet of deceased were about 3 feet from the ground. Witness climbed the ladder and cut the rope (produced.) The body was stiff and cold, and the face was not distorted. The rope had cut deeply into , the neck. Knew deceased’s mother while stationed at Timaru, and believe her to be very eccentric. Searched the body of deceased, and amongst other things foiind a upon which was written : “ There is one thing I am good at, so I am going to hang myself.” This was written on a receipt from the National Mortgage & Agency Company, and was found on the ground in the stable. Did not know the handwriting. George Hedges, proprietor of the Milford Willow Factory, stated that he had been absent himself from the ivpyks, s

and deceased had been engaged by his son. He had seen him at Milford on Saturday, and deceased had accompanied witness to meet the last train. During Saturday afternoon a Mrs Watts, who employed deceased’s brother, told witness in deceased’s presence that the latter had gone to the hospital. Understood he was out of his mind. Promised deceased if anything was wrong he (witness) would let him know. Always thought his mother was insane, and was told two sisters were in the asylum. Heard also that the brother who went to the hospital had been very good to deceased, and thought his illness had preyed on his mind. From his appearance thought deceased was very absent minded. In reply to witness, Walter Phillips, re-called, said the boys at the works used to tease deceased, and called him “Luny.” The coroner summed up briefly, and returned a verdict of “ Suicide while in unsound mind.”