The Inquest. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] New Plymouth, Last Night.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1526, 15 April 1882, Page 2

The Inquest. [BY TELEGRAPH. — OWN CORRESPONDENT.] New Plymouth, Last Night.

New, Night. At the inquest on the body of Mr Hdlse, yesterday, it was adduced that the 'deceased's partners had only recently become aware of Mr Halse's position, and on speaking to him he appeared to be much distressed and agreed to call a meeting of creditors'. It was custom-" ai'y for deceased to spend Wednesday at Waitara, where he did: business, so nothing was thought o& his going down there. On Tuesday or Wednesday morning he was seen by several who said he looked distracted. During the latter part of the day. he kept to his house. His partner having. some business with deceased, went ,down by the train yesterday morning to Waitara, and found the door of the house opened. He went into deceased's bedroom, and there found him with his face down, dead, with both arms underneath his chest, his hands clenched. Deceased had his boots and coat off, and •a 1 tumbler containing a few crystals of strychnine was on a chest of drawers. A letter was there addressed to his son-in-law, in which deceased had written :—: — " I have thought the matter over, or at least endeavoured to do so, and matters will be facilliated by my stepping aside. My head is burstings My farewell ends." On ■ searching deceased, a half-6unce phial containing strychnine, properly labelled "poison," was found. It had been made up, 1 and had been in - deceased's possession for fifteen years.' The jury, after a short- deliberation, re-turned-a verdict "That, deceased died •from the effects of .strychnine,-adminis-tered by himself, during a fit- of temporary insanity." • ■