SUICIDE OF MR BALHARRY.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 288, 18 April 1889, Page 2

SUICIDE OF MR BALHARRY.

AN UNIQUE LETTER,

“ HE DIED TO SAVE HIS CREDITORS I’

SHEOL HAD NO TERRORS FOB. HIM.

[from our own CORRESPONDENT.j Napier, last night. An inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of David Balharry, insurance and commission agent, who was a very old Napier settler, was held at Taradale yesterday morning. The evidence adduced showed that it was a olear case of suicide.

He left a letter behind, which, hy the way, is a very peculiar production. It was written in pencil, and addressed to Mr E. Patten, Collector of Customs.

It appeared that the deceased has been in financial difficulties for some time past, and he decided to destroy his life in order to end his troubles. He leaves a wife and family of five, who are provided for, the deceased's life having been insured in the Government Office for the sum of £1,500.

Mr Balharry had a drink at one of the Taradale hotels in the early part of the morning, and it was there that he addressed the letter which he left behind him. In the afternoon his horse was found tied to the Redcliffe Bridge. His coat and hat on the bridge, and his body in the river stream below, which is only three feet deep. He jumped off the bridge, a height of 25 feet, and broke his neck.

The following is a copy of the letter he left

“ Dear Patten,—When this reaches you I will have left the world my debts; the mental strain is too much to be endured. My life policies however will pay them, and plenty to spare. Christ died to save mankind; I die to save my creditors, and this act might justly be regarded as heroic, when contrasted with the people who face Jardine (the Deputy Assignee). I view with complacency my exit, which will be at the Meanee Bridge, or the Ngararoro Bridge, as circumstances may conduce. From my youth, and through life, suicide has been ever present to me. I wonder if it is an inherited tendency. By George, I believe it is. If between the visible and invisible world there be communication, I will bo sure to want you all up if I have a chance. Sheol has no terrors for me. I have an idea that the future will be a dreamless sleep. Adieu.—D. Balhabby.” “ P.S.—Please shew this to friends and the Coroner ; it might make a good par for the Sydney Bulletin.—D.B.” The jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst in a state of temporary insanity.

The late David Balharry arrived in Napier in 1863 and shortly afterwards received the appointment of accountant for Mr J. Watt, which position he held until he received the appointment of agent for the N.Z. Shipping Company. As he was only occupied about four months in each year—during the wool season—he got into difficulties during the other period, which resulted in his being dismissed from the service. During this time he also had the agency of two Insurance Companies, and also acted as a oommission agent, but this latter business was a failure, as people would not trust him owing to his unsettled habits. At one time he stood for a seat on the Harbor Board, but was defeated by a large majority. The deceased wsa a brother-in-law of Mr Wilson, dentist, and also to Mr Torr, of Napier.

Napier is getting quits notorious for suicides attended with strange circumstances. On February 10 a man named Kennedy committed suicide in Napier, and in a long letter addressed to Mr Roulston, he said that laudanum and strychnine having failed to kill him on two former ocMeione he thought he would try a revolver. He owed about £lO and did not know how he was going to pay it, and thought that shooting himself was better than going through the Bankruptcy Court. It was tho first time in his lite that he was unable to pay his debts, and this, together with the disease from which he was suffering, made him take his lite. He did not belong to any friendly society, and consequently was unable to pay tor the attendance of a doctor. He could stand his sufferings no longer. Those who held the Heaven and Hall yarn would no doubt say that he had gone to that hot region ruled by his sable Majesty the Devil, the treasurer to the clerical faternity. He believed in cremation. There was the usual posteript at the bottom of the letter. It read, “ Napier not having advanced enough to have cremation I expect I will have to be placed in a wooden suit. You will please take possession of my things, etc., to meet the costs of the case. I hope that you will ba long spared to watch over your family. My watch will ba found under my pillow,” He only made one request, that they would bury his little dog with him. They would find some strychnine in his portmanteau with which they could poison the animal. “ Please see Mr Ross,” the letter continued, “ and give him back his revolver. I will start on my journey before daylight in order not to disturb anybody by the report ot the pistol. There should be time during the day for the Coroner to go through the farce of ’ holding an inquest over my body. I don't dread to meet the Ruler of the world, as I never willingly injured any mortal.