A LAMENTABLE AFFAIR. A Schoolmaster Shoots Himself. [PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2181, 1 July 1886, Page 3

A LAMENTABLE AFFAIR. A Schoolmaster Shoots Himself. [PRESS ASSOCIATION .]

/*''•?" Wellington, Tuesday. At inquest wfcs held this afternoon on the body of James Foeseder Barnicoat, one of the masters of Wellington college, who was found this, morning in his study with seven gunshot wounds which had taken away the left side of his skull. Mr Mackay, principal of the college, deposed that deceased since last Saturday had complaiued of being low spirited and of want of Bleejj. Witness gave him a 'holiday, 1 ' which Barnicoat agreed to. Last night a doctor was .called in, and administered a sleeping draught. This morning 1 , when the master and pupils had assembled for,breakfast, deceased was discovered in his study, having shot. himself through the head with a long Snider rifle, the muzzla having been inserted in his mouth. Deceased breathed for a couple of h(>urs and then expired. Deceased seemed to think that his bays were not getting on so well as he could wish, and told Mackay so, but the latter held a different opinion, and said deceased was working too hard; Deceabed left the following" note, written in pencil :— " I am going to commit suicide. Short angui&h is better than prolonged suffering for my friends. There is no other alternative— J. F. Barnicoat." The note was nofe addressed to anyone. The medical evidence indicated the act had not been premeditated, but that on waking tln\ morning, findfng himself not able to do his work, it unhinged his mind, and in a moment of madness he committed the dead. The jury found a verdict of suicide from temporary insanity induced by overwork. Barnicoat was a young man, aged 28, son of the Hon. Mr Kirnicodt, M.L.C., of Nelson. He had been mastpr at the Culleev fur five years, and was a great favouritwf the pupil*, in whom he took great irfferebt. Deceased was highly respected in • the town, and his death has caused a gloom o\ er the city.