The Northern Guardian. — 1897-06-15 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

CONFIRMATION OF BARNEY BARNATO'S DEATH.  The Central News says a telegram announcing the suicide of Mr Barney Barnato has been received this morning at 10.30. The officials at Messrs. Barnato Bros. offices in Drapers Gardens, informed the press that no neva% whatever had been received, and hopes were entertained that the news was unfounded. Shortly after this, however, a telegram was received by the Union Steamship Company at their offices in Bishopsgate Street, fully confirming the news already published, but containing no further details. The tragedy has created a profound sensation in the eity. lfhe Central News says: The news of the &mill of Mr Barney Barnato, which was announced this morning, came as a great surprise in the city. It was not so much the fact of the distinguished financier's death as the tragic circumstances which surroundeo it that came as a shock to both his friends and mere businis acquaintances. For several months it had been well known that Mr Barnato was suffering from great mental depression consequent upon the arduous labour which has fallen upon him since last December, when he suddenly made np hie mind to leave England and himself conduct the affairs of Messrs. Barnato Bros., at Johannesburg. The critical condition of affairs in the Transvaal, together with the failure of certain negotiations which it is understood he was carrying on with the Transvaal Government, weighed considerably upon him, and at the advice of his friends and medical attendants, he left Johannesburg in the middle of April for a holiday in Cape Town. The change, however, produced only slightly beneficial results, as after three weeks sojourn, during which time he rarely failed th take daily drives, his health again broke down completely. On Sunday, May 23, Mr Bernath experienced a most alarmine seizure, in fact the attack of delirium tom which he then suffered necessitated his being placed under surveillance to ensure his doing no injury to himself. Mr Sony Joyce, his nephew, and business manager at Johannesburg, was telegraphed for, and arrived in Cape TORII on Wednesday, the 26th, but meanwhile Mr Bernath had recovered considerably, and was again able to take out-door exercise. It was, however, considered necessary to relieve him from business worry, and steps were taken so that all responsibility be vested in Mr Joel. Mr Barnato had made arrangements to leave %-ape Town previous to 2nd Jhne, blit owing to his illness the journey had to be postponed. Always a man of energy, and accustomed to work at high pressure, Mr BAlirnato, as soon as he was able to get about again, determined to fulfil his duty to his constituents at Kimberley, and take his seat in the House of Assembly. His long absence in England and stay at Johannesburg had entailed an almost total neglect of Cape politics, but to the complaints of his constituents he had always replied that as soon as he had succeeded in bringing about a better state of things in the Transvaal he would once more take up Cape politics in earnest. "Kimberley." he was fond of saying, "is settled and certain, but everything is possible on the Rand." However, he was present in the Home of Assembly throughout the debate on Mr lanes' motion to contribute a sum in support rif the Imperial eavy. The Central News' city representative, writing at ten minutes to one, says: Although the news of Mr Barnato's suicide came like a bolt from the blue is the neighbourhood of the Stock Exchange, which is abnormally crowded by a large number of speculators, yet there is not so much , excitement as might hese been expected. The bears have stopped operations. The news is the sole topic of conversation in the city. Prices are but little changed. Bernath Consolidated are now quoted at 1 746 to 11. De Beers, in which very little is doing, are 281 to 281. Johannesburg Leveetment are 11 to 7 3-16. Whiting, at 1.30, the Central News says the excitement is somewhat subsiding. The relatives and intimate friends had up till one o'clock recoved no details of the delth. There is considerable gloom among the holders of the leaser Barrialto securities, who held on in the hope of the deceased financier being, able to pull them through. In South Africa Mr Bernath always enjoyed I considerable popularity as a politician. He never succeeded in gaining fame, becatep he only  TRE WICK,  took to politics in order to better carry on and consolidate his numerous business schemes. He was-the senior member for Kimberley, which town he represented continuously since 1889. As a governor of De Beers, he thought it right to oppose the agitation for voting by ballot in the State elections at Kimberley, but when he recognised the determination of the majority of his constituents, he gracefully surrendered, and Kimberley had the honour of being the first town in South Africa to enjoy the privilege of secret voting. His action in opposing the measure somewhat jeopardised his position as a member of Parliament, and his majority was considerably reduced. With the Dutch he was always popular, and though he was so closely connected with Mr Rhodes and the Cape Parliament, he was ever able to approach President Kruger, and this notwithstanding his opposition to J. B. Robinson, the millionaire, who has had the greatest financial influence and relations with the Transvaal Government. On his last return to Johannesburg, Mr Barnato at once repaired t‘. Pretoria, and expressed his determination to the President to work for the peaceful development of the country, and to give his support to the Government. Mr Barnato, besides his enormous business ramification a in South Africa, recently turned his attention to British Columbia, which is the latest goldfield to attract the public attention. A representative of Messrs. Barnato Bros. was despatched , to that country some months back, and on the strength of his representative's prospecting, parties were arranged to thoroughly explore large tracts of country and peg out claims and make purchases of land wherever suitable. Subsequently he entirely recovered his health and spirits. He ' left Cape Town on June 2nd, and embarked with his wife on board the Scot. Sir Gordon Sprigg, the Cape Premier, and Sir J. De Villiers, the chief justice, were passengers on board the same steamer.