SUICIDE AT DUNEDIN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 240, 5 September 1872, Page 5

SUICIDE AT DUNEDIN.

A man named William Charles Roberta, for some time in the employ of Mr Strachan, of the Victoria Brewery, as a maltster, but better known from his having been a money* taker at the Princes Theatre, committed _uicide by hanging himself on Wednesday. A Coroner's inquiry was held at the Queen's Arms Hotel onJThu day afternoon, before _r Hocken. The principal evidence given was as follows :—: —

Emma Roberts, wife of the deceased, said he was forty-three years of age, a native of London, and a seaman originally. He came home at noon on Wednesday, having gone out to see if he could get any work, but had not • been able to get any. After conversing a little he sat moodily by the table, and complained of being ill, whi h he had been for some 1 time. Witness said she would try heraelf to do something when she got stronger; and thinking he was ill", recotnm°nded him to take rome medicine He replied that he had ' ' those bad thoughts in his mind again." He bad before spoken of doing away with himself, as he had a strong impression on hi_ mind that everyone was against him, and that noboly would give him employment, which caused him great unrest. After detailing the action of deceased prior to his going into his bedroom, witness said while she was sweeping another room deceased asked her if she would close the bedroom door, as if to keep the dust out, and she replied in the affirmative. A few minutes afterwards, she went to call him for his dinner, and found him hanging. The door was then wi^e operr. He was hanging from a rope thrown over the door, and was partly resting on a box, which was placed against the door. Witness screamed, bnt was so unnerved that it never entered her head to cut him down. She felt convinced at the time that he was dead ; and thought she must have disturbed him in passing through the passage before, and that he must have had everything planned. She thought he had been hanging for about a quarter of an hour. He had been out of employment for four months, having been malster for Mr Strachau for some time. She thought that employment and drinking beer heavily as he did while there had affected his mind. After being out of ! employment he became ill, and very low spirited. He frequently spoke of doing away with himself, and often told her in the morning that he had been unable to sleep, saying- "If you knew what bad thoughts I have had you would not wonder at it." She did not believe, though it occasioned her anxiety, that he meant what he said, nnd often said to him that people who Talked of such things did not do th m. She believed his mother had committed suicide, although he never acknowledged it. He had been able to save some mouey. Several letters written in June by deceased were produced. Witness said they excited her suspicion at the time ; but when sho talked to him he got more cheerful, and did not think he meant it. She mentioned it to four different people, her acquaintances, and they agreed that it wasnonseuce. Two were addressed to the Manager of the Bank of Australasia, and directed nlm th_b t_o LOOS _epus9i»o<l in. his name for twelve months should be paid over to his wife, adding "lam going to off my ' chump ' (in sailor's language, that he had gone out of his mind). Do not rob the widow and fatherless, but let her have the money. You will think it straage of me writing in this style ; but there is something tha f - keeps urging me on to destrac' ion. It is always in my mind." Another was in th 3 form of a will, leaving his money and all his effects to his wife. To his wife he wrote on -June 18 :— "DcarFmma, — I have left a note to the manager of the Bank to give you the money. I hope you will be able to" do something for your and the children's benefit. I feel as if I am not long for this world. lam so miserable and ill. I keep seeing awful things always, and it is best to go at once out of this world, and see the other one. Good bye. God bless you. W. C. Roberts. "Do not go to any expense ia burying me ; it is all nonsense. Do not have Geddes or Murray." The Coroner : With these latters, and the knowledge that he had frequently expressed ! a determination to commit suicide, I cannot help thinking you should have taken some steps other than you did. Witness replied, that when her husband spoke of destroying himself, she would talk to him, and he would get cheerful again. So that she did not think he really thought of it. She, and those to whom she had mentioned the matter, including her siwer, were o? opinion that if he really intended sui ;ide ho would not talk of it. Pefer Power, artist, said he was called in by Mrs Roberts. Deceased could ea3ilyhave taken his neck out of the noose. Witness did not think of cutting him down ; but went ' for assistance. F. J. Carr, _aid he had kaown the deceased for the last ten years, but he never heard him express an intention of doing away with himself. He had lately been very low spirited, through not being able to get work ; and one day told witness he would soon be going to the Lunatic Asylum. Witness answered his complaint of being unable to get work by saying, "Oh, you have no cause to grumble : yon can stand it a few weeks longer." ' The jury retained a verdict ©f " Suicide qpder temporairy Lowaity."