SUICIDE AT MASTERTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4765, 5 July 1894, Page 2

SUICIDE AT MASTERTON.

A Shpemken Cuts His Throat : Some excitement .was caused in Masterton .this "morning, when '.it. became known that Mr John Johnston, I a'well-respected, tradesman; .who for s.ome years past has carried on a sho'emaking ,■ business in Queen-st,, had committed Suicide by cutting bis throat. It appears that occasionally of late years, deceased has at times indulged; too freely in drink, and afterwards had fits_of great; despondency. . About eighteen months ago, after,:a drinking bout,;bo made an unsuccessful.attempt at suicidej'cutting his throat with, a shoemaker's kuifo. Ho was, however); at that time prevented from doing much harm. . . ' ; ■/" - This morning shortly before nine o'clock, without aiy warning, the nnfortunato man seized a table-knife and simply remarking: " I'll do it this time!" inflicted a fearful wound upon himself, cutting his head' half °tf.; ; .. His wife, who was present, endeavoured to prevent the rash act, and in the struggle had her hand badly out.' Alarmed by• lior'cries several persons entered the house,' but too late to do any good/ Johnston expiring at a quarter past nine Wo learn that Mr. Johnston.only returned from Wellington a few days ago, wliei'o bo was under treatment for eye-disease, and has sihCo been even more than usually despondent. Ho has been seen several.times entering and leaving hotels, and obtained liquor at about 8.30 this Horning. , The deceased 'has resided several yoars in. tho Wairarapa, at one. time owning a farm on the Belvedere Eoad' Carterton,' and he was much respected iii that district. He had also, in his younger days, seen a good deal' of life on tho Yictbrian gold-, fields, and made-a considerable sum of money. Ho was always interested in gold mining, and paid a visit to Mahakipawa soon after the first rush, ' . He leaves no family with tho exception of lu's wife, who is a woman well on iii years, andnaturallymuch affected by her husband's' terrible end. , An inquest will probably be held this afternoon.